My real passions are small town life (love the people), travel (because sometimes you need to get out of the small town) and food (love to eat it). I really want to make life better for the people in the little town where I grew up and then I want to be able to repeat that good turn for people in small towns all over our great country. The challenges faced in small towns that aren’t necessarily present in larger cities include adequate housing, affordable energy, transportation, accessible goods and services (including food), and cultural choices. There are more, but these come immediately to mind.

I’ve been recently inspired by Chris Brogan and his series of posts on social media, especially those posts specifically addressing small business. I’ve also been so impressed with Britt Raybould.   Her post on agriculture in Idaho really struck a chord with me. Finally, Chris Pirillo’s YouTube video about the slow way tech is being taken up in Iowa also stirred something in me.

I think much can be done to improve life in places like small town Iowa. Technology certainly has a role and the emerging class of young people with electronic connectedness – people who are being called “digerati” by the likes of Tim Ferriss) can certainly help, too. This is likely to be a major direction of my online presence as I move forward, although I may spin the effort off into its own site or community or whatever.

Note to Chris Pirillo, just in case you happen onto this somehow:  I get what you’re saying about Iowa’s need to stop exporting people and I agree.  I know that we can do more to improve creative opportunities in places like Iowa, but in fairness, you are arguably Seattle’s leading geek.  Your expectations of culture change in Iowa with regard to technology are comparable to sending Duffy Lyon to Seattle and having her wander around asking “Where are all the butter sculptors?”   Although Seattle surely doesn’t have anything against butter sculpture, it just isn’t the best atmosphere for that particular brand of culture to thrive.  Can/should we change that?

Stay tuned, much more to come. Please add suggestions or ask questions in the comments and pass this along to others who can help.

Do you have a PURPOSE?? is a post from: shannonehlers.com