Save us all from regional ignorance

Recently, Bonnie posted a link to an article on the rather unsettling fact that only about 60% of employable Californians are working.  Yes, that doesn't necessarily mean they're looking for work – but it's a lower percentage than previously (the peak was 65% of the population working, which doesn't sound very excting either).  What I find most intriguing as this news rockets around the internet is that a lot of posters commenting on it don't really seem to know what they're talking about – which is a valuable lesson for relocation.

As I am a person that moved to California a few years ago, I quickly became aware that California is best understood as a country because of its level of complexity.  I also became painfully aware that, when it comes to California, most people don't know what they're talking about – this is a state with a huge constitution, complex politics, interesting issues in raising taxes on the state level (think it can be done with a simple majority vote?  Wrong, it takes 2/3), a prominent place in the US and world economy, and more.  Some Californians seemed clueless, but they were nothing compared to people I'd encounter in other states who assumed that, somehow, they were experts on where I'd relocated to.

And this is why all my past advice on using your fandom contacts and good research to understand targets of relocation is important.  California is on the high end of Incredibly Complex States, but it's not the only one.

And when you assess relocation, there's often a lot of misinformation.

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Fandom: Take time to share

Are you a successful geek?  Are you a fangirl gone pro?  Please consider a chance to give to the your fellow fans.

I'm not talking a donation of money or time (though that would be nice), but take a moment to share your success story with someone who isn't feeling that they can make it in the world of professional geekery.  Don't talk about yourself too much, but instead show them how you made it and how they can too.

I talk about role-models now and then as great ways to find guides to success, but truth be told you may be a good role model yourself, you may not realize it (maybe that time you brushed your teeth with bengay still haunts you).  It's important to share that with others, especially in times of need.

Remind people you made it.  Tell them how you did it – THEN help them figure out how they can make it too.  Maybe they can follow some things you did, maybe you can suggest other ways.  Either way, show them you made it – so they know they can too.

You might find you've become a role model.

Good luck.

– Steven Savage