Smaller Indiana is as Stuffy as Real Indiana...

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Permalink Reply by Denise C. Webb on November 5, 2009 at 1:39pm

I love Smaller Indiana! What I like most about it is it is completely professional. None of this..."Just got home from work. Going to have dinner and go to bed" postings. Not that I don't care about people. I do. But there are plenty of networking sites for personal revelations such as that mentioned. Here, it is people helping people....giving advice, getting advice, and sharing things that matter to a lot of us. Sure, some people may be considered over opinionated, but that makes for great conversations. Here, you can network with like-minded people and share ideas and experiences. Those more experienced help those seeking knowledge. And, well, some stuff is just plain entertaining and educational!

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Permalink Reply by Jon D. Speer on November 6, 2009 at 12:03am

Matthew - Just curious what you were hoping for instead. When saying Indiana is unoriginal, what is your point of reference?

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Permalink Reply by matthew w. wilson on November 6, 2009 at 8:17am

I am not trying to be negative, Jon. I hope that was conveyed.

I guess I expected more sharing of ideas, concepts and projects.
Instead I find alot of repetitive posts about mainstream talking points (i.e., is Iphone better than google phone? what will the next 5 years of social networking look like? obama bashing, ect.)
I also see the same people posting dozens of threads just the stroke their ego, which is a bit nauseating...

I understand the demographics of Smaller Indiana is different than a facebook or myspace, ect. being that it is 1. older and 2. comparably more corporate...
But, I've just found it to be boring, redundant, and uninspired/inspiring...
It gets an A+ for concept, for sure...but, I just think the site needs to get more users from a more diverse pool.

Regarding Indiana itself, I essentially grew up in Indiana. I was born in California and lived there for a while, but have spent the majority of my formative years in Indiana and went to college in Indiana. I find many folks from Indiana to be particularly middle of the road and main stream; in tastes, ideas, ideals interests and view points...and to be frank, blatantly lacking in creative solutions and ideas....which I don't find to be particularly interesting or thought provoking.
That was all I meant by that...

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Permalink Reply by Pat Coyle on November 6, 2009 at 8:27am

Matthew,
Thanks for the explanation. Love your energy. Please feel free to add new forum threads. Smaller Indiana is intended to be a platform for people to use to share their creativity... but what I've found more often than not is that most people just like to read. Very few will initiate a new conversation or post original content. Apparently, this is not unique to Indiana. It's a human thing. Something about the one-percent rule. Anyway, I welcome anyone who can stir things up bring fresh perspective. Have at it!
Pat

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Permalink Reply by matthew w. wilson on November 6, 2009 at 11:12am

Thank you Pat.

I apply the one-percent rule to the noisy people in my neighborhood! haha
Everybody has stereos and friends, but not everyone opts to use the at full-thrust all the time!

Appreciate you comment, response and welcoming attitude.

You seem like a swell guy.

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Permalink Reply by DeAnna Ellis on November 6, 2009 at 9:04am

Having grown up in Indiana and then moved away, I have to agree with your assessment. Indiana tends to be a very middle-of-the-road kind of place, which can be extremely frustrating for creatives and anyone with a non-traditional way of thinking. (Believe me...I miss Chicago every second of every day.) But, Indiana has come a long way over the past five years. And I'm hoping that passionate people like yourself will be the catalyst to keep the momentum going.

Welcome aboard, Matthew. There is more than corn in Indiana.

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Permalink Reply by matthew w. wilson on November 6, 2009 at 11:10am

Thank you for you welcoming attitude, DeAnna.

It is frustrating, isn't it!? That is the best way I have heard it put!!

Nice to exchange words with an insightful person such as yourself, dear.

Have an outstanding weekend! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Robby Cooper on November 6, 2009 at 5:14pm

I've lived in Indiana my whole life and I have to agree that there's a small town mentality throughout most the state. I see nothing inherently wrong with the more passive aspects of Indiana, but I do find myself interested in the clash of cultures and ideas that seem to exist in larger cities.

I've struggled in the past with whether or not I should move to a larger city to experience those differences. Instead I decided to stay in Indiana and try to get something started here. I figured it'd be worth a shot.

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Permalink Reply by Jon D. Speer on November 6, 2009 at 10:00am

Matthew - I was member 140 (or something like that). In those days, I enjoyed SI and actually carved out part of my day to post, exchange ideas, etc. I share some of your sentiments.
Here's a thought. Why don't we make a small commitment to exchange ideas with one another? Maybe we can create a spark.

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Permalink Reply by matthew w. wilson on November 6, 2009 at 10:43am

I like it Jon, my concepts are usually more visual than verbal or word-based.

But, ya. I will make it point shoot stuff your way when, man. (whether it be designs, or art or a link or something)

I like your level-headed, approachable enthusiasm.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Marsh on November 6, 2009 at 10:10am

I think right now SI is in a rebound phase from a borderline-acrimonious politics overload. Health Care and "I hate Barrack" fever has led a few people to leave the site, complaining that its "too liberal"--whatever that means. On the whole, I find their departure no small loss--not because these individuals were that important, but rather because it seemed to function as a symbolic transition for the site. From a charming, uniquely Hoosier social networking experience to just another ugly political message board.

For myself, I'm glad the politics din has slowed down--we're all here to do business and that sort of talk just drives a wedge between people.

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Permalink Reply by matthew w. wilson on November 6, 2009 at 11:06am

too Liberal? haha.

Is that even a thing?

Hypocrisy of the Republicans and the Christian Extreme-Right are the sole reason we are where we are.
You can only have a failing economic system that only helps the top 2% and an anti-science anti-research agenda for so long before it catches up to you.

The whole country could use a dose of "too liberal" I think.

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