I recently completed my first trip to Las Vegas, NV for the National Association of Broadcasters annual trade show with my co-op company, Digitalsmiths. Being a few months shy of 21, I couldn’t sit down at any of the poker tables or purchase alcohol, but I did get to make quite a few observations…
- Vegas might easily be the most bizarre, most ridiculous place ever.
- There is no sense of time – no clocks. 6am and 3pm are the same.
- Food is expensive. Like, really expensive. $7.50 for a bagel and egg.
- Everything is sexualized. Billboards, street “cards”, game dealers, etc.
- Everyone seems to be smoking. Inside.
- Alcohol flows everywhere… it is the fuel that keeps everyone going.
Slot Machines
Adults sit in front of these big boxes with flashing lights. The adults stick their money into the machine. Their money goes away. The adult then proceeds to stick more money into the machine, and then that money disappears as well. This process continues.
Bottom Line
There is a distinct culture in Vegas, and that is the party culture. It works great for many people, but it has never been the right fit for me. It isn’t the kind of place that is conducive to creating amazing innovations in technology. This ties in with company culture, and is a topic I will be expanding on frequently.