Jack Neely asks if Knoxville is "finally learning how to try?"

For years I had a vague sense of unrest here in Knoxville. Then, after going to NY, SF and other cities, ensconcing myself in techies who were building "the next great thing" day in, day out, I realized how much we "settle" for "good enough" around here all the more.

But I do think that is changing, slowly. Jack Neely has a good piece on this, and despite lacking more data, I think he's on to something. I think outside pressures are largely what's going on here, since we live in a more connected world. It's great to consider this, no matter what.

Then you read the comment by the small town guy and wonder... I'm sure there are also people who live here who miss the "good old days" when Jim Crow laws were in effect and lynchings were back country justice. But you get that all over.

Free funding sources for filmmakers, musicians and other artists

Sure, you could pay people to consider the market value of your art, but why? There are so many great ways to get funding for your art projects these days. Indiegogo and Kickstarter are perhaps the best known, or at least the ones making a big splash these days.

There's also Grantspace, Desktop-documentaries and... the long tradition of asking friends and family to help out.

Sometimes I worry that people take advantage of the fact that a lot of artists in this area are not tech savvy. Ask yourself if the money you spend seeking funding would not better be spent towards actually making something.

To be sure, festivals and fairs and the like have their place! Jobs and Wozniak demonstrated the first Apple computer at a computer fair in the 70s, which eventually led to the creation of Apple Computer. While I don't think either were seeking validation of the idea (perhaps Jobs less so), the networking and event provided an important framework in which to show off their efforts. That is important.

Less important: getting advice from a shadowy group who charge you up front for a chance to do something you could just as easily do for no money at all.

May Day!

I walked through the first day of the Market Square Farmer's Market today, and it was cool if pretty small. Of course, thanks to the cold weather and season in general there's not much produce to go around. Mostly "stuff" with some eggs and herbs for sale. Here's hoping Saturday is a bit bigger.

In other news, Urban Outfitters will finally open tomorrow. I had hoped to use that space some day, but tides can change... We'll see how much business they do. Probably a lot. For a while.

More on Stuck Inside Knoxville...