[hackerspaces] A New Hacker Has Joined Your Party!

[Ross Smith]

> Thanks for your answer Ross ! Certainly good food for thoughts. Go Detroit ;)

Thanks!  I think about it way too much, you can tell.

> I'll make sure to drop by next I tour the US if that's ok and should I
> bump into interesting urban environment resources, I'll make sure to send
> them your way !

We are always happy to have guests :) We usually put up visiting
hackers in one person's home or another, you won't lack for colleagues
in Michigan.

Cheers,
Ross

> All the best,
> T.
>
> 2011/1/13 Ross Smith <rsmith at i3detroit.com>
>>
>> Hi Mel!
>>
>> > It seems I've heard hackers here and there mentioning moving to Detroit
>> > and
>> > turning it into "hackerstown" - possibly meaning coming to the area to
>> > settle and help rebuild its economical and social fabric through
>> > hackerspace-like structures and entrepreneurship. Is it something you've
>> > heard of as well ? What would your take on that be ?
>> > Cheers !
>>
>> I must agree.  I can't say Detroit will be more or less of a
>> hackerstown than other very admirable places, but this area is fertile
>> ground for hackerspaces.  There are many prevailing reasons, but
>> without getting into the details too much, they include:
>>
>> 1) High density of academic, engineering and technical talent here due
>> to the auto industry - hence many people likely to be hackers and
>> DIYers
>> 2) Very low cost of commercial rental real estate - as the economic
>> conditions here forced many businesses to close, leaving commercial
>> landlords lowering their rates
>> 3) High demand for community among Michigander locals - as layoffs and
>> economic turmoil disturb the fabric of our lives, we have a strong
>> need for community, networking, and dependable friends in this area
>> 4) Entrepreneurship - many artists in the underground Metro Detroit
>> community  need spaces like i3 to do their work while keeping costs
>> down; likewise many self-starting people use i3's resources as a
>> platform to start their own business, as they have been dissatisfied
>> with layoffs or seasonal employment
>>
>> This means we have many committed hackers making their local
>> hackerspace a larger part of their own lives, and willing to share it
>> with all their like-minded friends.  The conditions are right - now
>> it's up to us locals to make the culture grow and become as vibrant as
>> it can be.
>>
>> --
>> Ross Smith
>> i3Detroit President
>> www.i3detroit.com
>>
>> "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually
>> right." -- Henry Ford
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-- 
Ross Smith
i3Detroit President
www.i3detroit.com

"Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually
right." -- Henry Ford