Muncie and Indianapolis: Another stop of the Silicon Highway?
Places in the mid-west US, and particularly my alma mater town of Muncie, Indiana, struggle to find a new reason to exist in an economy and society that no longer is either heavy-industry based, or the region is "manufacturing" jobs in support of a struggling US automobile industry. While casually browsing Goggled returns of "Silicon Valley" I happened across an interesting essay by tech-maestro Paul Graham, titled How to be Silicon Valley.
The essay points to a broader element and concept that we, in our academic studies and professional lives, are reminded of, but seemingly not enough: constructing fancy new buildings, celebratory government intervention, and tossing fancy new technology at a problem does not solve much of anything by itself; it is people and the knowledge they bring, often, but not always then leveraging these items, that create the solution.
Could Muncie, Indiana, or the Indianapolis area become a Technology Hub?
At this point, it is hard for me to make scientific comment on economic distribution of wealth that the essay deems needed, or the wide-spread attractiveness of the area. From my own observations, there are pockets of creativity and culture in Indianapolis. The city has changed since I arrived to the area in 1995, and I tend to think that of a positive change, with more of the localized dining and entertainment options needed to attract "nerds." Living options in the downtown of Indy have grown and are more interesting and viable. According to Graham, a living inner city is vital to a city's attractiveness and potential.
While there are other factors in Graham's essay, that in Indianapolis's case, would point to debatable or lacking elements making Indy a draw, I still believe there is potential that Indianapolis could become a mid-west stop on the Silicon Highway, leading to The Valley. Much like the Transcontinental Railroads that first liked the coasts of the US and brought life and inspiration to the Middle of Nowhere, USA.
Indiana, Indianapolis, or Muncie may still be a long way from finding that Golden Spike; however, cheers to those tactile elements and assets that the state is attempting and investing in.
...now all we need is people.