It was announced today that the TC50 conference put on by Jason Calacanis and Mike Arrington is no more. This is a shame, but hardly surprising considering the personalities of both men. I attended two of these conferences and it was obvious who the driving force was. Jason. Outgoing, talkative, a leader, a mentor. Mike on the other hand was his usual self. Sullen, withdrawn, obnoxious, and most importantly babyish. If you attended the last one you got to see this firsthand. Mike’s immaturity got the best of him as he walked off stage at the award ceremony leaving Jason to keep the show going, which he did like the wannabee movie star he is. It was appalling to witness as Mike threw a tantrum and went home disrespecting his partner and friend, not to mention his employees, attendees and the companies who were there. It was classic baby bullshit. I remember Mike said on stage “You don’t need me, it’s the Jason Calacanis show.” Well at least he was right about one thing. J didn’t need him.
The great irony is that earlier in the year I was helping to produce “The Crunchies”. Two hours before the show, his own show, Mikey decides he’s not going. I said to him “Hey stupid, what do you mean your not going? It’s your fucking show.” “Don’t care” he says “I’m going skiing”. And that’s exactly what he did, he left. His dumbfounded staff was like WTF? My answer? “Fuck him, we have a show to do.” We show up at the theater and as I’m writing Erick’s monologue, Jason walks in, I tell him the story and he is shocked, but more importantly sympathetic for the TC team. What was his answer? “Fuck him we have a show to do.” And that’s what we did, we put on a show. A damn good one as well. The techcrunch team stepped up and did what they had to do, all of them were heroes, except one, the baby who went skiing. At that point I was pretty tight with TC crew. I was so proud of these guys, these aren’t seasoned performers, these aren’t “show people”. Erick ended up doing a great job and their whole team demonstrated an Esprit De Corps that their “leader” couldn’t muster. And who was there, a bundle of energy, going nuts pumping everyone up? Yup Jason. He was backstage and vital to that show’s success. His and mine friend’s show. We wanted to make sure our friends big night was a success. We all succeeded that night. Without grumpy boy.
I know the full story behind the genesis of the TC50 conference, and the truth is, it was always Jason’s idea. He had put these things on many years before Mike Arrington existed. This is just fact. That’s neither here nor there though, the thing is Mikey yet again demonstrates his unique ability to be a shithead to those who love him the most. The dime store analysis? He deep down knows he doesn’t deserve it. He’s also probably right.
Anyway, like all stories this has an end. Unfortunately it’s not happy. These two maniacs were good together. I know how much Jason really cares for Mike and it’s a damn shame that Mike once again hurts those who care about him most. Such is life. Now we have two conferences from our heroes. Mike has “Disrupt” that’s web talk for big idea. It’s also bullshit and has a negative connotation to the real world. Jason will have “Launch” that is web talk for a start. It’s also a very positive word in the real world. Interesting names, and reflective of their founders personalities. I know which one I’ll be attending, after my own of course.
Well boys and girls all good things must come to an end and now its time for this this good thing to end. Don’t be sad though it’s not the end of Techcrunch saying and doing stupid things. I promise you that that will always continue. Maybe.
I also wanted to settle a nasty rumor. It seems many of you may feel that my CrunchGate investigation is in some way revenge for Mikey screwing me over at The Audience Conference. Let me assure you that this has nothing to do with it. Watch this video, do I seem mad to you? I knew that Mike would screw me over, that’s his thing. The conference was a huge success and the next one is already planned for Caroline’s comedy club Aug 14th. in NYC. You can buy tickets here in fact. No, the reason I got so pissed is because I know some good people that Mike has hurt with his strong arm tactics, among “other things”. A lot of you already know what I’m talking about. I wanted to let people know that Techcrunch is nothing more than a guys website. No different than your own really, except you probably have a lot more integrity. It’s ok to poke at, and question Techcrunch, because it’s all bullshit. As demonstrated by his cowardice in this whole affair Mike Arrington has no juice that you need to fear, just ask JooJoo, the guy who laughed in Mike’s face, as he said so perfectly “Ummm Techcrunch is just a blog.” Who do you think is going to win that lawsuit? Companies, PR people, whomever, you guys need to see things for what they are. Techcrunch is a vanity blog of a bored ex-attorney with poor social skills. That’s literally all it is, anyone can go through SEC filings for these moronic companies they “cover”. What is hard to do is act like such a pompous douchebag that someone would actually spit in your face. When your best friends are Loic, Scoble, and Gillmor you know you have a problem.
If Mike Arrington had any dignity or class at all he would step down. If he really cared about Techcrunch or it’s employees he would step down. Techcrunch is nearly worthless as a media property at this point due to Mike’s behaviors. No big media company is buying Techcrunch. Cashmore or Denton might for chuckles, but don’t look for Rupert Murdoch to be singing Arrington’s praises the way he does say a real journo like Kara Swisher. Mike should step down let Erick and the boys handle things and try and salvage whats left. Outside of that dirty prick Brusivlosky and a few other morons, the team at Techcrunch are good people.
When the going gets tough Mike runs away to Hawaii or Tahoe or his parent’s house. I think it’s time Mike runs away again, for a long time. I hope he does and he thinks about what a dope he is. I hope the dope realizes that time is running out on him and that if he wants to matter again he’ll need to finally grow up and start to act like a normal decent human being. I also hope the tech genius doesn’t give away the GPS coordinates of where he’s hiding like he usually does.
This was never about me, or a conference, or a personal grudge. It’s about all of us. If we are to matter as people or even as a medium we need to do the right thing, and treat each other with respect. We need to inspire and help each other. That’s how we will achieve a “true” community, and push the medium to its full potential. I sincerely hope Mike can get past his own ego and insecurities and can finally reach his potential as a person. It will be mediocre at best I’m sure, but hey it’s better than another CrunchGate.
Since dopey doesn’t have the balls or common sense to do it himself, the puppet presents the CrunchGate 100. I’m done with this nonsense.
