01 Apr 2009, Posted by Matthew Reinbold in New Work Ways, 0 Comments

Profile on ‘The New Pioneers’

As coincidental as the timing may be, my profile on The New Pioneers website is not an April Fools gag. The forthcoming book attempts to examine how broadband access is changing rural life. Its being written by Eric J Abrahamson – previously author of Anytime, Anywhere : Entrepreneurship and the Creation of a Wireless World.

When Eric called me we talked for nearly an hour – hit the right buttons and I go into full on opine mode. The quotes chosen for the online profile put my hometown of Timber Lake, SD in a positively glowing light. However, my real intent was to bridge the gap between rural revivalist pipe dreams and the kind of urban end-all-be-all centers championed by, say, Richard Florida.

The future of work will need both. In a metropolitan area I find a diversity of people and ideas. This cross-pollination (even friction) creates a frenetic, energizing environment. When I abscond to South Dakota for extended periods its because the isolation provides clarity and focus. Technologies, like universal broadband, shouldn’t be seen as just the ability to shore our boats where we’d prefer. Much unlike an anchor, rural broadband would free us to sail between multiple points with ease and fluidity, as the work requires.

Ultimately, the premise is that South Dakota’s technorati, cast out because of an overabundance of education and ambition, would return. I maintain that the goal isn’t some kind of geek-enabled homecoming. The goal is to be able to choose.