MongoDB is not even remotely close big table architecture. It has a different data model and a different sharding model, and just about a different everything.
This might be like the third blog I have read about the east coast 'doesn't get' or 'can't do' startups. The last article said the east coast could not make a facebook. Check your facts. Facebook started on the east coast.
Anyway onto this article. How can you call yourself humble when your saying someone else 'doesn't get it' or 'cant do it' That does not sound humble to me. Other then that there is no substance to your argument.
Here is my prospective:
On the west coast, your startup fails, go work at another startup, get a real job at a profitable company, that fails, sleep outside in a tent.
On the east coast your startup fails, get a real job at a profitable company, or freeze to death.