FLEUR PELLERIN

The French culture makes failure painful for individuals as the perception of others is very negative. America, in contrast, is much more forgiving about failure with people getting second and third chances commonly. Failure is necessary for great success in almost everything significant in that no one can be perfect and success often depends on resiliency to failure along the way.

France, which in the 18th and 19th centuries was the center of science and technology for the world, has become more culturally conservative and has developed a maturity towards money and materialism which admires science and innovation but is reluctant to make the sacrifices in living and social style that is often required. Corporate regulations and banking and investment standards made it hard to form a Silicon Valley type organization in France. Many young people had gone to other countries to develop their skills and gain experience, but few return to France while many will start companies, they do it elsewhere.

France, which in the 18th and 19th centuries was the center of science and technology for the world, has become more culturally conservative and has developed a maturity towards money and materialism which admires science and innovation but is reluctant to make the sacrifices in living and social style that is often required. Corporate regulations and banking and investment standards made it hard to form a Silicon Valley type organization in France. Many young people had gone to other countries to develop their skills and gain experience, but few return to France while many will start companies, they do it elsewhere.

The French culture makes failure painful for individuals as the perception of others is very negative. America, in contrast, is much more forgiving about failure with people getting second and third chances commonly. Failure is necessary for great success in almost everything significant in that no one can be perfect and success often depends on resiliency to failure along the way.