Reflections on a Regional Read

Well, the Flat party is about to end. I'm well aware of all the hard work that was expended by volunteers and staff to educate others about topics in the book, as well as "how to" communicate using Web 2.0 (supposedly the new frontier we're all supposed to be crossing in the next phase of technology) to flatten our world. Congrats to everyone on their successes. Thanks to all who worked hard to direct others to a regional conversation online about topics that impact our world. However, to community leaders trying to market central New York as a Silicon-Valley-wannabe, I say, "You've got a long road ahead!" Personal opinion, not approved nor reviewed by the sponsor of the business blog. But hey, no one is reading this anyway, so I might as well say what I think.

Why did so few visitors come to the blogs? Too busy? Fear? Not interested? Don't want to be high-tech savvy? Not sure how to participate? Too complicated? Too personal? Not enough like YouTube or Ebay (the REAL internet!)? Everyone involved with the Read did a lot to remind, cajole, educate...through newsletters, faxes, newspapers, posters, multi-media advertisements, websites, e-mails, programs, direct invitation by mail and in person, across a 3 county area for two months running. Everyone praised the concept, yet only one legitimate new pioneer crossed into the business blogsite. Mid-York folks tried to generate a conversation relevant to the topics on the business and other blogs, and the business blog had a few literary comments from a faux Flatliner, but lip service to the prospect of online discussion far outpaced actual participation.

I'm disappointed. Not in the Read, because where two or three readers of the book gathered together physically, discussion about Flat topics followed. It appears that residents in Mid-York Library System communities aren't as ready to embrace technology as we had anticipated. Maybe the topics were just too boring. Maybe "The world is round, and we're the center of the universe!" Maybe the advertisements were too whimsical. Maybe no one cares about exploring how we can benefit from redefining what we do and how we do it in a flat world. Maybe the pendulum is swinging and we're all tired of technology and just want to go organic and buy local.

Thanks to the sponsors who supported the experiment. You deserve our gratitute for your attitude: being interested in thoughtful options that might carry us into prosperity and success.