Did you hear the latest theory about how the dinosaurs became extinct? They died off when all the venture capitalists left.
Some business leaders are preaching a brand of digital Darwinism, saying only the fittest companies will survive now that investment money has dried up.
'Most dotcoms will die off over time, just like the dinosaurs,' said Steve Hsia, chief executive of CyberTouch Asia. 'The theory that everything must evolve or become extinct still hasn't changed.'
Mr Hsia told a sparse audience of 24 at Internet World Asia the lack of interest in his presentation was further proof online companies were doomed unless they adapted to a new business climate.
He said last year he had several hundred people hear him speak on a similar topic. 'There were dotcom people on one side and people looking to invest on the other side, it was like an orgy. Now look at it,' he said.
Mr Hsia said the companies still cash-rich from successful public offerings also were in danger of folding as a healthy bank accounts isolated executives from the need to revamp operations before they ran out of money.