The only problem here is that RG is classified as a "tech" company. Its a legitimate business, but they don't sell technology, and neither does technology make or break them.
They happen to use web technology, but how is that different from the bakery next door that happens to use a payroll program or allows you to order online and home deliver? Or a company like Walmart (where arguably technology is a part of what makes them successful)?
The standards for what companies are classified as tech companies right now are extremely inconsistent. In my view, Rap Genius is a for-profit fanclub, not a tech company. Similarly, AirBnB is a travel and accommodation agent, not a tech company.
I define a tech company as a company for whom advanced technology is what they develop and sell (either as a product or service) - Microsoft, Google, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Dropbox - all qualify.
Merely using technology doesn't make it a tech company, every business in the modern world uses technology, it doesn't make them "tech" companies.
I've long argued this same point. Somewhere along the line "startup" become synonymous with "tech startup" and everyone seemed to decide this is the way it'll work. There are plenty of elements of these startups that are as important - if not more important - than tech.
I'd argue that very few tech companies are like RapGenius.
The new wave of "X service on the web" companies are not tech companies, they are "X service" companies, whether that X is travel, music, laundry, home cleaning, etc. And since the problems they are solving are trivial and not remotely technologically challenging, they can afford to have this kind of arrogant culture that would never fly at a legitimate tech company where the difficulty of problems being solved forces at least some degree of humility on the problem-solver.
