BlogNWI

I was reading Richard Orelup’s post regarding an Indiana social media movement that dominated #NWIndiana’s twitter community and raised funds for a worthwhile charity — Banta Feeds — and was struck with some thoughts afterward regarding Indiana’s social media culture.

Indianapolis’ social media leaders either missed the opportunity to join the cause or despite their offers to have us join in their efforts, failed to join one of ours.  Indianapolis has traditionally had a fractured and Balkanized social media culture, so that might be part of the problem as well.

Northwest Indiana will have to take the lead and stop looking to Indianapolis to unite the social media world in Indiana.

Northwest Indiana — #NWIndiana — is the logical leader of the state for the following reasons:

Northwest Indiana is the industrial base that supports and lifts the state’s economy.

Northwest Indiana is in the heart of east-west interstate motor and train traffic.

Northwest Indiana is also at the heart of Canada – Mexico international truck traffic (I-94 to I-80 to I-35). The Illiana Expressway (especially if it links up with I-94 in Michigan City and I-80 in Illinois) will improve Mexico-US-Canada trade by bypassing Chicago traffic jams.

Northwest Indiana is a part of metropolitan Chicago — an Alpha city of global importance in communications, sea transportation (we have the International Port), and cultural influence. NW Indiana is part of Burnham’s plan for ring roads connecting suburbs with the city.

Northwest Indiana is diverse and hardworking. Despite our problems, we can get along and play well with with people from different backgrounds and the world. People came here from all over the United States and the world to work hard in our industries.

Why should we look at Indy to lead when they show that are too fractured to provide the necessary leadership for state social media?

It’s time for Northwest Indiana to step up to the plate, fill the leadership vacuum, and let the rest of the state follow us.