100% agree! Now if only I could stick with my guns and not self sabotage... Writing a big check to kill a CC this week.. Life is better with no debt. I have tasted it but not achieved. Its amazing how as a society we are taught to think debt is a necessary thing. While I do believe "debt is a tool" and is good for accomplishing things like home buying or large infrastructure projects(bonds) the majority of citizens do not need it and it keeps people poor.

Also DOWN with payday loans they need to be outlawed period!

Chris

Michael what are you using for Bluetooth headphones? Would you buy them again?

I agree with what you say regarding evaluating your friends and keeping your inner circle of people the type of people that you strive to be. However keep in mind your friends fall and life happens. I just think a little wiggle in the ideals and some compassion is necessary.

That said never be afraid to take out the trash...

Michael,
We continue to cross paths and I find you inspirational and think about the few lessons I have learned from you and your posts. I look forward to what you have to share. You my friend are one of the people the world needs to pay attention to.

Be well, keep kicking ass and taking names
Chris Chadwick

Great post...I will add this to my todo list, I have some things I should "clean up"

I know there are some communities that are doing the rural broadband thing. I also know a guy in Parker CO that sets up microwave broadband for businesses. I am sure with the right community and plan we could get a relevant company(s) to wire up a small community and a bunch of "ok" computers donated. Some of the new atom based MIDs are very capable and suitable for this application. Would also be pretty easy to get some Grants with Obama's new proposed plan for infrastructure building.

How big or small do you think a relevant community would be? My off the wall guess is 2500 people? maybe 60-70% population below poverty line?

I like the idea and have also been thinking on this subject since you poses the question via twitter while on your trip. My head went in a different and more technical way. It seams to me if you start to gather data on skills and resources of the people in the town you could start to identify and steer people towards the local resources and identify the holes that could be filled with training or by entrepreneurial people. Obviously it would take time to get people up to speed and get an infrastructure in place to accomplish this but your proposed solution would be a good way to begin that process. It just seems that even in a small community one would think to get eggs 5 miles away at walmart when you neighbor down the street has extra eggs you could buy that they never thought about selling (overly simple example). You can test this on craigslist lets say you want to buy a fish tank. Post on craigslist that you have a fish tank for sale then watch how over the next few days you will see people who never thought "hey I could sell my fish tank" post thier tanks for sale.