Mike Arrington is leaving techcrunch. I knew that would happen at some point but not like that.
i worked 3 years with him building Techcrunch France from scratch and contributing sometimes to Techcrunch.com. I experienced everything from real enjoyment to frustration. This experience created a (amazing) pivot in my career. A boost i could have never gotten otherwise. And somehow i keep very good memories of working with him. He trusted an unknown french guy he never met to create the second (or third) blog of his network. And i think this is something that he did consistently: hire guys that know that take things a step further in the right direction without him.
I am sure Techcrunch will still be successful but still will be different. since inception i read every single of his post. sometimes many times. he's a terrific writer. i hope he keeps blogging (what happened to crunchnotes.com? )
I have little comments on this BS "ethic as a blogger/VC" story. the only part i can testify is that even my own stories (post Techcrunch France or as a VC) never got a special treatment in any ways. Many times they even got ignored. Many times my competitors are treated way better than my own company. Read also Loic's post about how things happen.
I am fine with that. I know Mike has managed to create a "clear in the game" publication creating rules readers respect. and that startups respect.
This game is not over. With or without mike, Techcrunch will remain the spicy tech publication that no other network has managed to create. Precisely because of the rules Mike has created and that penetrated Techcrunch DNA.
PS: congrats Erick on the new Job :)
disclosure: i own techcrunch stock and could be perceived as a biassed teller. if have the right to think so. that's fine...
