I think a lot of this comes from a lack of understanding that innovation doesn't have to be centered around a locale. There are plenty of business in the midwe

I think a lot of this comes from a lack of understanding that innovation doesn't have to be centered around a locale. There are plenty of business in the midwest doing ho-hum widget making as there are in all parts of the world. There are also plenty of businesses trying to break into something and be the next "X"; I've worked at a few of them. They're great with their Startup mentality and you'd think you were on the set of HBO's Silicon Valley if you didn't look out the window and see a Midwestern Storm System. However, I think the Midwestern Mentality will still remain here, which is what also might hold it back from becoming the Next Silicon Valley (but you'll read articles countering this). We're very family-oriented and generally nice, and that permeates a bit into the "move fast and break things" ideas that are so abundant and (sometimes) wasteful. There's plenty of top developer talent (in their prime) who choose to remain here for the competitive salaries and affordable home costs and lifestyle. It's a little bit of a badge of honor to deny interview requests with The Big Disrupters simply because you know that the salary they offer (with few exceptions) can't possibly give you the same quality of life as it does here. Homes specifically: we're talking comps at 2x+ at a salary negotiation that doesn't touch that.