Yeah, the problem is deep learning sucked a bunch of money - essentially took a loan against the future in the form of VC investments. And if that loan does not get payed, for the next few years you may not afford to explore all that other stuff.
Technically, VCs are not loaning you money. They’re more likely betting on you. It’s true that maybe they’ll be more reluctant to place big bets, but as with everything in life the VC optimism is cyclical.
Sure it is not technically a loan. But it carries the same sentiment change when it blows up. People get extremely cautious, to the point of skipping some really good ideas. And not just those VC's that made the bets but everyone else too. Fear spreads just as effectively as hype.