St. Louis Needs People Who “Think Different”
I’ve been called many things over the years and yesterday it continued following my post on valet parking. It was to be expected, I knew as much when I made the post. Think what you may about me but I have a strong conviction in my beliefs and the tenacity to see them through.
Yesterday, as people either praised me or condemned me, I was reminded of a TV commercial from one of my favorite companies, Apple Computers. A TV commercial? Yes, their “Think Different” series from the late 1990s seems appropriate here:
Here’s to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing that you can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They push the human race forward.
While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can
change the world, are the ones who do.
I am by no means claiming to be a “genius” nor of anywhere near the caliber of the individuals featured on the actual commercial:
I do believe that I am just crazy enough to change my little part of the world. Are you?
Steve,
Just when I’m about to turn off the “gadfly” because I believe that 99% of what you spew is garbage, you have to go and post this. Truly inspiring. Politicians and constituents take note, hard line convictions can change your world!
As someone who is not from STL originally, I can easily say that STLouisans are some of the most complacent, stubborn, and unexposed people in the country. Its nice to see some people who actually are bringing new ideas to the table and new approaches to making this city better. Part of the problem with St. Louis is that it really is a small area of the country…but the residents of the “Bi-State Area” think that this area is something great, when really it is small minded and sad. The more people who bring fresh ideas to this city the better, the problem is they are from other, more openminded and advanced parts of the country.
Dan, As someone who is also not from ST. Louis originally, I am somewhat offended by your comments. While I find St. Louis to be unique, every city that I have lived in has had its peculiarities. If everybody acted, thought and believed the same things, life wouldnt be very interesting. In the time that I have lived here I of course have come across people that I have perceived to be stubborn, complacent and unexposed (none of these attributes, in my opinion, being necessarily bad). I have found that some people in the small towns and large cities that Ive lived in and visited also have these attributes. By no means, however, do I believe that those 3 words accurately describe the people of St. Louis. The Bi-State is great, it is not small and it is not sad. I dont fault you for thinking this, I just can’t help but think that you are underexposed when it comes to St. Louis and all it has to offer.
I respectfully disagree with you when you say “they are from more openminded and advanced parts of the country”. I also to some extent take issue with your response Steve – there are certainly very open minded and advanced people who are not “well educated and well travelled” and who were born, educated and have never left St. Louis. I have met numerous people both from St. Louis (including one of your best friends steve)and those who have moved to St. Louis from other cities who have a vision for St. Louis and are committed to making ST. Louis a great place to live. Dan I would encourage you to go out and find those People who are “crazy enough to think that they can change the world” I certainly have come across plenty of those people in my years here in St. Louis. I would also encourage you to go out and expose those “unexposed” people to your new ideas and approaches – just because they may be unexposed doesnt mean that they are not open to new ideas.
Dan you sound like an elitist. May I ask where you are “from”? What parts of our country are advanced and open minded in your opinion? Manhattan, San Francisco, Austin? When you generalize >300,000 St. Louisians as complacent, stubborn and unexposed are you talking about Generations X and Y or the old guard baby boomers? Because if you are refering to young St. Louisians, I think you are off the mark in your comments.
Dan, I am sorry you are so down on the citizens of the Bi-State. I suppose that your conclusions are mostly a matter of opinion.
However, you stated that St. Louis is a very “small area” of the country. What does this mean. Are you referring to square miles? Its influence on the country and the world?
Moving here after 25+ years in Colorado, my observation isn’t that the people are so much different, as the poltical framework that is. Colorado politics is much more open and welcoming of “outsiders”, both people and ideas, while politics here seems to be done more behind closed doors, in secret, by a small group of people keeping a low profile . . .
I think Jim nails it on the head. As a lifelong city resident, I’m tired of being blamed for a rigid, Byzantine, shadowy social/political system that’s been in place since long before I was born and that I’ve done what I can to change. Believe me, I know better than anybody how frustrating it can be to live here. We’re doing what we can to change it.
Dan, I’m not sure what you think you’re accomplishing with sweeping, superficial diatribes like that. Lecturing me about how stupid I am doesn’t make you look any smarter. I think I speak for all St. Louisans – young, old, stubborn, openminded, unexposed, advanced, whatever – when I say that nobody’s putting a gun to your head to keep you here. I’ll even start a collection to pay for your U-Haul rental.
And yeah – “a very small area of the country”? Huh? Either you’ve just added a new concept to the lexicon of geography, or you’re an inarticulate idiot. One guess what I think.
Right on, Senor Toon! I’m 30, I just bought a house in the city, and I ain’t a’goin’ nowhere. At this point in my life, I don’t even feel the need to try and “defend my city!” when folks like Dan make broad, inconsequential statements. Hollow thoughts don’t deserve any further energy wasted.
Gadfly, I think you are crazy. As each month passes by I believe it more and more. BUT it’s not a bad thing. I believe you are changing the st. louis metro.
I remember the commercial and love it now as much as I did before.
WWJJD — what would jane jacobs do? and,
if you *b e l i e v e* in him — wwJd?
I think you are doing an excellent job, just keep a cool head when working with others especially those who work at wine bars!! I believe that if you mix your passion of urbanity and throw in a good heart you will get more done! Just my two cents.
(let’s quit calling it a “bi-state” – pet peeve)
While watching the clip, I recognized having seen it before. And then realized where. Of course, this would is an Apple commercial.
Anyway, yes, we do think you are crazy most of the time. 😉