> On the one hand, sure. On the other hand this relentless focus on "hyper-scale" or bust is what has pushed the US startup scene to where it is and probably why it is so far ahead of the rest of the world.
was it? Or the inability of other countries to block US startups (because the US government will never let them) makes it impossible for local startups to compete leading to monopolies? If every country went US way of blocking TikTok, the hyper-scale growth would cease to exist fast.
Money from customers of all non-US countries is the biggest reason. Where US tech companies can't grow, local alternatives grow to the same level (China, Russia).
> Why should the presence of US tech companies mean local tech companies can't compete?
That's not the right question. The correct question is:
Why DOES the presence of US tech companies mean local tech companies can't compete?
And that's the beginning of the discussion. If there is no money to be made, no market will be developed. Block US companies and in a few years you have a booming ecosystem.
Can you answer why US companies are so good at providing value that customers choose them? Obviously things can survive if there's no competition, but why is that better for the consumer?
> Can you answer why US companies are so good at providing value that customers choose them?
Some greasy words. Using VC money to offer subsidized services while capturing the market and killing competition has no relation with being "so good" at providing value, much the opposite.
was it? Or the inability of other countries to block US startups (because the US government will never let them) makes it impossible for local startups to compete leading to monopolies? If every country went US way of blocking TikTok, the hyper-scale growth would cease to exist fast.