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I hope others will share if they find this totally silly. It’s more of a response to observations. I am from Portland, OR writing from eastern kentucky, where

by gt_ 9y ago

I hope others will share if they find this totally silly. It’s more of a response to observations. I am from Portland, OR writing from eastern kentucky, where I have family. This region is feeling the hurt. I put a lot into a hobby of media and culture studies, and am unconvinced of many platitudes from libertarian or liberal academics, but am open to all perspectives. In so many words, impacts of culture in a broad sense continues to undermine nearly any efforts like these listed. Whether the measurements are misled, or new problem is exacerbated, or the effort just completely falls flat, I am going on what continues to stand in the way: problems in broad cultural discrepancies that amount to fear. I can’t overlook the cultural fabrics of religious communities (I am far from religious myself) and the lack of any counterpart in contemporary American life. How can this help us now? I think it’s no secret rural communities are being ‘left behind’ but the last thing they (seem to) want is your charity. They don’t want urban education and they don’t want urban food, but they are all addicted iPhones. So what do we change if we can’t change them? Urban/Coastal America can change itself. Our efforts to boost lives we look down on are well-intentioned but continue to fail. I don’t have a quote on hand but Tyler Cowen suggests we ‘mix it up’ closer to home. Defend weirdos and affect your own culture for the better, in sometimes uncomfortable ways. Off the top of my head: MBAs, start investing in young artists, like in the Renaissance. Unapologetically enforce your opinions and even politics on them. Have fun with it. Anything could happen. Wanna teach programming? Rent out a rural community center for your class and make the drive (or flight) each week. The impact will justify the investment. Maybe don’t make it fun for everybody. Campaign in rural communities against social media use. Use billboards and flyers, like the locals. Use scare tactics (honest ones) that override cultural discrepancies. Actually hire people outside your “cultural fit” and people from rural areas. If you can’t believe in anyone outside a given character mold, why expect others to?

Noos 9y ago
Well, it would help if assistance isn't conditional on nor about spreading the holy gospel of Portlandia to the savages in the lower provinces. A little less cheekily, how much of what you want to do is actually helping their real needs as opposed to what your idea of their needs and behavior are or should be, and is about transmitting your culture onto theirs to replace it. Cultural imperialism is an issue in the USA, for all of the lack of focus on it. The portlandian thinks the solution to rural problems is programming, bike lanes, and electric vehicles.
- gt_ 9y ago
  I hope it’s clear I couldn’t agree more on the gospel of Portlandia. As for how much of what I want to do is actually helping “their” real needs, I think I would just have to repeat myself: Economic disparities are undeniable and charity isn’t helping. Hire different people, and accept cultural differences, beyond mere sightly identification. Don’t ignore the impact of culture comforts which undermine relationships necessary for sustainable societies. Be honest, put business second. In short, do the stuff churches did, if that’s even possible.

by gt_ 9y ago

Noos 9y ago

Well, it would help if assistance isn't conditional on nor about spreading the holy gospel of Portlandia to the savages in the lower provinces. A little less cheekily, how much of what you want to do is actually helping their real needs as opposed to what your idea of their needs and behavior are or should be, and is about transmitting your culture onto theirs to replace it. Cultural imperialism is an issue in the USA, for all of the lack of focus on it. The portlandian thinks the solution to rural problems is programming, bike lanes, and electric vehicles.

gt_ 9y ago
I hope it’s clear I couldn’t agree more on the gospel of Portlandia. As for how much of what I want to do is actually helping “their” real needs, I think I would just have to repeat myself: Economic disparities are undeniable and charity isn’t helping. Hire different people, and accept cultural differences, beyond mere sightly identification. Don’t ignore the impact of culture comforts which undermine relationships necessary for sustainable societies. Be honest, put business second. In short, do the stuff churches did, if that’s even possible.