So it's the perceived simplicity, not necessarily the actual simplicity of the company or product that matters. Another way of looking at this might be "clarity" vs "confusion."
If the article is correct, then ironically, reading this article made me less creative.
But I certainly think there's something to be said for detaching from external stimuli and taking quiet time. Last weekend my phone ran out of batteries early in the afternoon and I was without internet/mobile until I got home late that night. I had all sorts of realizations about my area of work--things that I was looking to answers for externally but hadn't taken the time to process myself.
Fascinating. For one thing I'm amazed that $8,000 gets your neighborhood 60 hours a week of private security patrol for 4 months. Sounds way too economical.
Also, in the article, the CEO of Crowdtilt implies that this is a net-positive because Oakland PD will be able spend more time patrolling other areas--implying that Rockridge will now get less police attention. If that's true, I wouldn't want to pay money for my neighborhood to get less real police patrol.
Have you decided for sure to move to the SF Bay Area?
You could potentially network and get a job (or at least have them fly you out for interviews) without moving. If a company likes you enough they may even assist with the move or you can try to negotiate that into your contract. Feel free to ping me.