I stay in Tri-State area within Memphis Metro bounds mainly. The culture and priorities of local governments seem to be against intellectualism or high-tech to the point that TN and MS's positions on the list don't surprise me. That TN beat out MS made sense but sad that MS was so low. Thing is, the Mid-South needs innovation and high-tech jobs to offset the poverty and crime coming from losses in manufacturing and farming. Yet, it's almost like they fight positive stuff.
Not sure if any of this applies to AK. The three states usually have more similarities than differences as it's all similar types of people. Like an extended family, haha.
I know exactly what you mean, there's a really strong anti-intellectualism that blankets this region. It's mostly in rural areas, but that accounts for probably 95% of the state's geography so they get to call all the shots unfortunately.
Also Arkansas is AR, AK is Alaska. A pretty common mistake, cousin ;D
Oops. I slip on those kind of things all the time haha. Yeah, the rural areas are dominating in that. I think the push will have to focus on how increased tech will bring more jobs to the area and maybe (ironically) increase their voice on politics. A way to stay in the loop, be heard, negotiate deals, whatever. Might be a decent selling point.
It seems to be working in Texas. Dallas is such a technological hub now that Texas might actually become a blue state before long! It gives me hope for my area, at least.
I was thinking about Texas as I wrote that. They're the innovation leaders in the South. Another tactic of mine is appealing to the pride of local states by reminding them Texas is kicking their asses and they can't let that happen. So, we steal anything good they're doing without the... Texan stuff...
What you think? Competitiveness might help where other strategies failed?
Note: Texas has to factor into these discussions one way or another as they've shown how to get it done. I figure at least Nashville or Knoxville in TN could follow suite as they're already playing it smarter (err closer to Texas) than most of the South in IT. Chattanooga went 1Gbps, too. I'm not sure what cities are comparable in... AR... and MS.
Southaven MS was one of the first cities in America to offer public wireless internet service. Otherwise I can't think of a single good thing for tech to come out of that area.
I'm a born and raised Memphian and I stayed as long as I could before I hit a career ceiling. I never intended to leave, but I'm even happier living in the SF Bay Area.
Good to see two of us here. :) Ive stayed in area for family reasons mainly but will probably move soon. Whole Tri-State area is a dump far as IT jobs and innovations go. Plenty of smart people but they just go under-utilized.
Eh being from AR (though I now live in Colorado) I'm not totally surprised. It doesn't help such a large percent of the state's revenue/business is concentrated in a tiny portion of the state (mind you at least it is next to the biggest university as well).
Not sure if any of this applies to AK. The three states usually have more similarities than differences as it's all similar types of people. Like an extended family, haha.