the idea of industrial economies to produce wealth in our region. It does work
to an extent. The paper industry is an example.
to an extent. The paper industry is an example.
Parishes and cities try vigorously to bring industry into the region. A large auto
maker or parts manufacturer will of course have a huge positive impact. But
the loss of such an entity will have a devastating negative effect. While we still
need it, the manufacturing economy is probably not where a prosperous future
lies.
maker or parts manufacturer will of course have a huge positive impact. But
the loss of such an entity will have a devastating negative effect. While we still
need it, the manufacturing economy is probably not where a prosperous future
lies.
In the last half of the 20th century, a new economy emerged, The information
economy is based not on making a physical object, but on handling ideas and
data. Communications, insurance, and computers are examples. This does pro-
duce manufacturing jobs, but because of globalization those jobs go to the
cheapest labor force. The cheapest labor force is not here. “Big box” stores have
accelerated this trend. The manufacturing economy, as well as the information
economy to some extent, is leaving the United States. Our agricultural econo-
my is still strong, but the United States has lost the cheap labor war. Now our
whole country is being mined for raw materials like recyclable paper, steel, and
timber by Asian economies in much the same way that we were “mined” in the
post Civil War period.
economy is based not on making a physical object, but on handling ideas and
data. Communications, insurance, and computers are examples. This does pro-
duce manufacturing jobs, but because of globalization those jobs go to the
cheapest labor force. The cheapest labor force is not here. “Big box” stores have
accelerated this trend. The manufacturing economy, as well as the information
economy to some extent, is leaving the United States. Our agricultural econo-
my is still strong, but the United States has lost the cheap labor war. Now our
whole country is being mined for raw materials like recyclable paper, steel, and
timber by Asian economies in much the same way that we were “mined” in the
post Civil War period.
What do we do now?
Here at my desk in the middle of a cotton field, I am foolish enough to think I
have what might be an answer; not the answer. If enough other people come to
the same conclusion and we take action, we can improve our situation. If we do
nothing and wait for someone to come to our aid, our decline will continue. I
am proposing a simple first step that should get the more complex processes off
the ground.
have what might be an answer; not the answer. If enough other people come to
the same conclusion and we take action, we can improve our situation. If we do
nothing and wait for someone to come to our aid, our decline will continue. I
am proposing a simple first step that should get the more complex processes off
the ground.
There is another economy. It is one in which Americans excel. It is a resource
that we have at hand and have not exploited. It is the CREATIVE economy.
We may have lost the cheap labor wars, but we have NOT lost the creativity
wars. Few people understand the new economic concept of the creative econo-
my, but this fact is graspable. The creative economy is already larger in the
United States than the manufacturing economy.
that we have at hand and have not exploited. It is the CREATIVE economy.
We may have lost the cheap labor wars, but we have NOT lost the creativity
wars. Few people understand the new economic concept of the creative econo-
my, but this fact is graspable. The creative economy is already larger in the
United States than the manufacturing economy.
The creative economy includes not only artists, writers, musicians, poets, paint-
ers, potters, dancers, designers, actors; all the traditional “arts” people, but also
architects, builders, engineers (of all kinds), computer programmers, inventors,
tinkerers, and thinkers of all stripes. Any one who “CREATES” a new design,
book, song, concept, invention, or solution, even a new business model, is part
of the creative economy.
ers, potters, dancers, designers, actors; all the traditional “arts” people, but also
architects, builders, engineers (of all kinds), computer programmers, inventors,
tinkerers, and thinkers of all stripes. Any one who “CREATES” a new design,
book, song, concept, invention, or solution, even a new business model, is part
of the creative economy.
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