Category — politics

Message to Midwest: Change or die

by Jon Swerens

Today’s article at Next American City sets its sights on the Midwest:

Richard Longworth (a senior writer for the Chicago Tribune) wants you to know two things: First, globalization is happening and it will continue to change the world. Second, if you live in the Midwest, you’d better be very afraid about your region’s chances of competing in an increasingly “flat” world.

Contrary to the hoo-ha churned out by the countless chambers of commerce that dot the Midwest, not all is well in Mayberry. In a passionately argued and well-researched new book, Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalization, Richard Longworth takes us through a Midwest that is facing rapid change, as rural economies strain under the increasingly automated and corporate nature of modern agriculture, and as old industrial cities from Canton to Cleveland, Muncie to Milwaukee, struggle to find a new economic niche in a state of permanent deindustrialization.

The article takes us from the lows of Detroit to the highs of Chicago, and then offers a few suggestions:

Longworth offers a few policy suggestions, such as investment in biotech and biofuels, which would leverage the Midwest’s natural strength in food production into becoming a leader in future technologies. He also argues for a regional approach to development, a Midwest conversation on who we are as a region and what we should aim to become.

Read the whole article here. Read a Chicago Tribune review of Longworth’s book here.

– photo of a distressed portion of Detroit by Luca & Vita on Flickr

April 28, 2008   No Comments

New Media, New Rules presentation

by Jon Swerens

If you’re a blogger in town, you’re certainly quite aware of the New Media, New Rules presentation at the downtown library Thursday evening.

The presentation focuses on politics, especially on the local mayoral race here in Fort Wayne. This is from the press release:

New Media, New Rules will feature a presentation by Fort Wayne Observed founder Nathan Gotsch and a panel discussion on the significant impact of new media on the 2007 election with city council members-elect Mitch Harper (also editor of Fort Wayne Observed) and Karen Goldner as well as bloggers Jeff Pruitt (Fort Wayne Left) and Dan Turkette (Fort Wayne News). Bloggers, commenters, the general public and traditional media are invited to attend.

“Local candidates are just beginning to understand the power of local blogs to influence voters,” Gotsch said. “Now that the city election is over, we can start a discussion on how to make the Fort Wayne blogosphere a place of dialogue for elected officials and constituents alike.”

In the first part of the program, Gotsch will give citizens advice on blogging effectively in order to make sure their voices are heard by and have an impact on elected officials. He’ll also discuss how candidates can develop Internet strategies that take advantage of new technologies, pointing out missed opportunities during the 2007 campaign and providing tips on how to interact with political bloggers writing about their campaign.

That will be followed by the panel discussion on the impact of local blogs on this year’s election and how new media is already altering the local political scene. Gotsch and the panel will also be taking questions from the audience.

And there’s more information on the web site. Although I’ve not been really involved in politics, mostly because I’ve worked in journalism most of my professional life, I’ll be there.

– Jon Swerens · photo by anemergencystop on Flickr

December 19, 2007   No Comments