In this video I’m talking with Oliver Pras about a thing I keep hearing whenever people debate moving: “What is there to do in that city?” And my take is… that question is kind of a trap. If you’re expecting the city to provide the substance of your time, you’re going to come up short. The real question is: what do I want to do with my time that actually feels important to me and central to my identity—and then, how is it different doing that in New York vs the Bay Area (or anywhere else)? We also get into why New York feels socially different to me. Here, people are forced to mesh more—subway culture, random conversations, getting recognized at the deli or diner. In the Bay Area, I felt more self-segregation and a more homogeneous social scene (especially around tech). Then we talk about “creative inspiration” and hustle culture: I don’t think a city magically makes you creative. Being around creatives can help you stay motivated, but the determining factor is still the boring part—actually making the work. And honestly, networking can even become a distraction where you feel busy and productive without getting better at the craft.