And Google uses Java and Facebook uses PHP. The idea that SF startups are so much more advanced from a tech standpoint than other cities is just ridiculous
It's not ridiculous at all. I've worked outside the Bay Area and in it the last several years. There is a huge difference in culture and approach to solving problems. Lots of startups are boring CRUD trying to look more advanced, but plenty are actually trying new things and exploring tech in ways that most other places just can't or won't support.
There is a difference between trying to do new things and needing to use the latest and hottest webscale technology to try said new things...
Most likely some bias on both ends here
I've worked outside the valley more than I have in it.
I think you would find the way they use both to be orders of magnitude more interesting than how they are normally used.
Facebook isnt a user facing CRUD app with business analytics for advertisers?
In the same way that your browser and "hello, world!" are both just some compiled code.
And yet, at the end of the day, it's not just the technical principle but how the business models work are the same.