Hey Spokane, Fix the HotZone
March 22, 2010 
11 Comments
It’s official, it’s a mania. What started as an earnest effort on behalf of the City and some key partners has finally hit the mass consciousness of everyday citizens in a mad dash to impress before Friday’s finish line. What is going on here? In case you live under a rock, Google is planning to install a large experimental high-speed fiber optic network and is pitting cities across the country against each other to try to attract their investment.
(Look past the wretched font choice, we’re good for you!)
Much remains unclear about how exactly this decision will be made. Most Federal grants include a detailed scoring system so that applicants have an idea how important their “project narrative” is compared to the way they spend money in the budget, for example. We’ll leave it up to the consultants to do the digging and speculation, but one thing should be obvious. The sole purpose of any company is to make money, and therefore factors like infrastructure, cost of resources and consumers’ ability to pay for service seem like they would be at the top of the list.
When was the last time you saw them all smiling at the same time?
Given these are all things that are completely beyond the control of everyday people, all the hijiinks to “get Google’s attention” seem all the more precious and embarrassing.
Another clip to add to the “So Cheesy It Hurts” collection.
Next up on the menu of publicity activities is a rally in Riverfront Park on Wednesday night at 5:30 in the Clock Tower Meadows. Now flash mobs are nothing new to our city, but don’t let the name fool you. These gatherings can take months of careful planning and promotion to pull off successfully. Without a robust communications infrastructure more often than not the effort will flop. But don’t get me wrong. Do I think you should get yourself on down to the park to see who else shows up? Absolutely. I will see you there.
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It would be so cool to get this, the medical facilities and the schools could really benefit. I’m not sure if it will make a difference either, but I’ll definitely be coming out to the park tomorrow to show support.
I’m quite in agreeance with you…especially about the cheesiness of the video with Verner. We’ll see if this ‘flashmob’ thing flies. I’m getting a very ‘by the seat of our pants’ vibe from it. I’ll, too, will be there to show my support, however.
too bad the same didn’t happen for Otto Zehm or Shonto Pete.
Adam – the “by the seat of our pants” vibe is accurate but not negative as you make it sound. In my opinion the city has done a poor job of harnessing public support and energy for this project and/or taking it serious just how capable we are of attracting Google, thus two advocates for this project took it upon themselves. And in a matter of an afternoon not only put the legwork into planning this event but had nearly a 100 people RSVP for it. And you know what – I wouldn’t be surprised if 100 people show up. I feel that too many people are taking offense to the term flashmob – and looking past the fact that Mark and Nicole are rallying support for something they’re passionate about, an act that is too often looked at as too difficult in Spokane. Kudos to you Mark and Nicole – and see you all there this afternoon!
I would be there if it weren’t the exact same night & time as the aquarium planning meeting, up on 29th.
Gotta work hard on this one- Duluth, MN is in the forefront…good luck Spokanites- our force is with you!
http://www.inlander.com/spokane/blog-407-flash-mob-rule.html
Evidently I was there too early: 5:30. Saw almost more media than participants. Actually I was rather disappointed it wasn’t a good old anti- war or pro-choice demonstration.
To quote Bob Dillon, “The times they are a-changin.”
Great to meet you at the Google rally! By the way nice video Jason, you nerd.
75 people? Spokane, you have some serious ground to make up. From the looks of this attachment, even little Grass Valley, CA was able to beat that (and with a much less annoying video).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFhPPAYjdVU
Too bad our “ask” isn’t as engaging and creative as Bellingham’s: http://www.cob.org/issues/google.aspx