First. Read this blog by So Cal Docstoc founder Jason Nazar.

Don’t skip the comments. Some pretty aggressive thoughts. And since my internet pet-peeve is people blogging on a comment section- I’m commenting on my blog. (Please take note folks!)

Also, to preemptively call myself out, I sometimes say “we” when talking about SV entrepreneurs; the way I do when discussing the Giants. And despite my bi-monthly attempt to convince someone to please open a clothing boutique with a fro yo machine AND a wine bar, I know I am not an entrepreneur any more than I am a candidate to replace Brian Sabien.

So here are my thoughts, my very “robyn-esc” take on a subject that is still a bit over my head…

In all fairness, I think my “myopic” SV ethnocentrism prohibits me from removing associated connotations from the adjectives used to describe LA entrepreneurs. (And yet I will still “weigh in” from that skewed perspective.) Because “Hustlers and deal makers” sounds horrific when compared to “obsessively user focused” and “snobby about accomplishments.” Right??

I mean. I agree. It all fits. But somehow, our LA counterparts kinda sound like that hot guy you meet at the latest “it” bar. You know, the charismatic one that you REALLY like but can’t quite trust because you’re pretty sure he’s shady.

So sure maybe the SV guys aren’t inherently great at business and DO rely on their VC’s to figure out how to monetize superior products and ideas. But. In LA the focus seems to be: “How can I get rich and score an invite to the Playboy mansion? Oh! here’s an average idea- I’m gonna sell the hell out of it.”

…I know which team I want to play for; and it doesn’t involve Holly, Kendra or Bridgett.

This disparity in focus might create the snobbery Jason noted. And as an explanation (not an excuse), the intellectual elitism you might experience when dealing with folks from SV is perhaps, in part, a bit of residual insecurity left over from high school years of library lunches and PE nightmares, coupled with a touch of angst resulting from that empty frame still awaiting a college diploma.

See, we sometimes get so caught up in the pace of the Valley that we “take a break” from college to pursue funding. I mean “school will always be there, right?” The problem is the need to flex unaccredited intellectual status with the attitude of: “I’m so smart I didn’t have to pay 60k to get a stupid piece of paper and my company’s VC’s can totally beat up your company VC’s.”

Sure we do talk about geeky things like Twitter and who’s start-up was mentioned in a YouTube video (THIS is the best one EVER!) … but all of that is still better than arguing about how SC’s cheerleaders are SO much hotter than UCLA’s.

Again. Maybe ethnocentric… buuuuuut I’d say points still go on the board for SV.

And while we may work crazy hours, pathologically sketching new UI possibilities while consuming copious amounts of green tea… That still seems more productive than talking about which b-list celeb will make a cameo at our launch party.

Because yes, in LA the focus seems to be on business and money. In SV we like the idea of brilliant contribution and early retirement…. so we have more time for more brilliant contributions.

And while we ARE cliquey (my life goal is to score an invite to the secret rumored Halo game between the entrepreneurs and the VC’s), I think it helps breed better products and sites. (ie: TheFunded…Good reading. Almost as good as ValleyWag.)

But don’t get too comfy. There are always a few dethroned founders, still lurking around coffee shops and the blogisphere – obsessively tracking Google alerts for mentions of THEIR company. Still seething and backstabbing like they belong on an episode of Gossip Girl. The Valley can be a cold and precarious place. Even with Fenwick on your side.

But I think Jason’s poignant summation is true… “The next few years will be an economic apocalypse the likes of which most of us have never lived through before… In order to succeed in the future, web entrepreneurs will have to learn how to incorporate the DNA of both Silicon Valley and Los Angeles.”

It’s like the business equivalent of finding a girl who can hang at the ball game with your buddies and then seamlessly transition to the cocktail party with clients without missing a step in her sparkly stilettos.

I mean. If you’re gonna get in bed with someone, make sure she’s strong, versatile, trustworthy, fair, and intelligent. Right?