I wonder how much of this has to do with the financial collapse. There is no denying that the financial firms sucked up a ton of great talent during their boom years. Are those people (and the potentials) now turning to startups now that the finance firms are taking a breather with their high-salary and mind-numbing jobs?
I think the financial collapse has a role in what's happening in New York City. You're seeing a huge shift from people "thinking" about starting something to "doing" it. When you see most of your friends getting laid off from jobs, you realize nothing is guaranteed, so you might as well swing for the fences. This has a ripple effect through the community.
Yeah, thats what I'm thinking too. I think its so great, society as a whole will fare better with these people swinging for the fences, instead of being in a soulless job.