Things are afoot, readers. Today I leave the steady day job in favor of these wild, crazy, hopeful adventures we’re creating in Detroit. (No, I’m not moving there… for now. San Francisco is home. ) Energy, support and connections have been building and it’s time to devote myself full-time to building out some killer websites and supporting our team in Michigan. And document the process here. So what’s good and exciting?
- This Xconomy story from last week, The “Disney-Sized Imaginations” at Loveland Are Out to Reverse Detroit’s Decay with Digital Maps does a terrific job recapping our story and explaining what we hope to accomplish.
- Jerry and Mary gave a brilliant talk at TEDxDetroit. The video’s here, specifically in Session 3 at 31:10.
- All the work going on at the Imagination Station. The first art installation, Salvaged Landscape by Catie Newell, opens on October 30. The team’s been out there relentlessly tearing down and cleaning up the property with volunteers out in force.
- Buy a Frame continues to gain momentum. Just a week or two ago Erik from Lemonade came to us inquiring about using the micro approach for funding the next project. So I banged out a simple site to accept purchases of individual movie frames, and in the two days since launching we’ve raised nearly $5000 towards telling this story of hope and determination in Detroit. The comments from our generous producers just radiate the conviction that this story needs to be told. Seriously, spend some time over there:
“Believe in the impossible, for Rebirth is yours to accomplish. Sending best wishes, Detroit. Love, a New Orleans Girl.” –Angela
“Detroit is resurgent. Ideas combined with action will create the positive change we need. Don’t let your ideas go to waste.” –Marcel
“As a born & raised Detroiter I’m a big believer that great things can & are happening here. Thanks for letting me be a part of this project.” –Andy
“I have $197 in my checking account and I’m buying 24 frames of Lemonade: Detroit. It’s that important.” –Tyler
- The inchernet.com site will evolve; many possibilities for making a difference in revitalizing & shrinking the city here. We received an letter from an unexpected, first field tester:
I was getting frustrated using the bid4assets.com spreadsheets to locate potential Wayne County tax foreclosure auction properties. I just don’t know the city neighborhoods/zip codes/streets well enough, as a whole, to use a huge-ass pdf fruitfully. Philip mentioned Living in the Map on inchernet.com. Then, I remembered seeing it in a TedX. Anyway, the visual really helped ferret out properties in areas I’m familiar enough with to investigate a little deeper. I picked out 78 properties from New Center to Downtown and went on a LONG bike ride yesterday. 22 miles later, I can give you an interesting review on Living in the Map. When it gives accurate data for properties, it’s indispensable. This type of mapping is long overdue.
- There are so many goodies I want to develop for our loyal inchvestors at Loveland to get creative with their land on the web. Really leveling up the micro-city-building tools and story there. We’ve had to put this on hold in favor of all the other awesome developments and related projects. But seriously, another round of site renovations is in the works and I’d love to reward the early colonists who believed in us and staked out their inches.
- Upcoming collaborations with Rita & Josh at the Imagination Age / Dancing Ink Productions. I met them through their early incherest in Loveland, and we’ve got exciting new projects in the works. Stay tuned, something will be revealed at TEDxNASA, November 4.
First though, a romantic weekend getaway on the coast, away from all things Internet. See you soon! <3
Hurrah! Best news I’ve heard all day.