OLD RULES versus NEW RULES
"We have met the enemy and they is us" - Pogo
Even thought this site is dedicated to sorting out the complexities of current economics for the average person, community and the bigger picture of global economics, it is also important to bring all this information down to the practical, local level.
There are layers of economy in the world. Each of these layers have particular drivers and influences (global, national, regional, local, personal). Each layer ultimately depends upon the lowest common denominator in the system to support it, the individual person (the consumer).
The first line recipient of the upward economic flow has been for generations the local merchant. That all changed with telemarketing, radio, television, 800 numbers, direct mail and catalog sales. Local retailers call it "leakage" but an equilibrium was struck with these mechanisms over time.
In the early 90's came a thing called the Internet into general consciousness and it is changing the world like never before and it is forever till the next paradigm shift in technology. In short, the most important thing to know at this point is this technology allow the individual to reach out to the world and the world to directly access the individual.
When great shifts occur there are collisions. The old established structures especial where money and power are concerned will rely on their old established networks to maintain the status quo. To do this they will ether assimilate under the old structure or destroy the new. They are well established and practiced in this mechanisms. They will, in all, cases move to protect the organism even at the expense of those they portend to represent the best interests of. In this case on the local level I am referring to City Governments, Chambers of Commerce, Downtown Organizations, Arts Organizations, etc.
What you are about to experience is the story of one small community presented with an opportunity to be a leader in the nation in this new technology which began in 1992. The story isn't so much about what was accomplished as it is the story of why it could not happen. It is also the story of most small communities in the Nation. It is also the story of why, we as a nation, are declining as a world power and ill prepared for the economic crisis at hand (I am writing this 2 days after the greatest economic bailout of our economic system, by our government, in history 9-22-09).
The collection of stories of the last 16 years will demonstrate a series of common threads that keep occurring. Parallels between local, county, state and federal government. Several models have been developed by this study. An early (1995 report)research project by MIT verified the value of what was attempted here. In the end, the over riding missing key ingredient here that MIT had was ethical leadership.
The first story will demonstrate the creation of an opportunity of extreme value (one of many). It would have launched this community into the history books. It will also give you some idea of the potential value created on Bainbridge Island as defined by the interest of a national company (this will be repeated in the ISP Channel Story and the creation of the oppertunity to create a Mystic Seaport of the West Coast here on Bainbridge). The mechanism used to kill this opportunity and the rest will be repeated over and over again in this history and gives rise to concepts coined such as: The Viral Nature of Unethical Leadership and The Hamster Effect.
To deal with the age and economy we are moving into there is one thing I know for certain: The Hamsters must evolve.
The Story of Bainbridge Island and the 16 year attempt to establish a local economic, social and government engine for the new millenium, Bainbridge Island Community Network