Geek Blogger Worship

Ugh. We need to kick everyone writing about American Web startups out the door and bring in new, non-egomaniacal ones. The “Gillmor Gang,” consisting of “industry experts” like Michael Arrington, Robert Scoble, Steve Gillmor are making American entrepreneurs look like assholes.

At the Le Web conference in Paris, Arrington goes off on a tirade about how European entrepreneurs aren’t as good as Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. The panel host, Loic Le Meur, counters this by proving the Gillmor Clan makes no attempt to learn about anything outside of Silicon Valley:

Loic Le Meur: [asking all 7 American panelists] Have you heard of a company, a startup, called Vente Privee?

Michael Arrington: No.

LLM: Steve [Gillmor]?

Steve Gillmor: No.

LLM: Robert [Scoble]?

Robert Scoble: No.

LLM: So, the founder was just there… two panels before [this]. I’m trying to make a point here. This startup you’ve never heard of is doing 600 million in revenue per year. The point is none of you have heard of it. Why? Because you don’t care.

SG: Oh, that’s bullshit. You think, in a worldwide depression, that we’re not interested in a company that makes 600 million euros? Come on. It’s bad PR is what it is.

MA: What the hell is your point? I have three full-time writers covering Europe by the way? I don’t know what company you said because I didn’t understand what you said.

His point was, these are the guys who are supposed to know about it, without having to read a press release. Sigh.