Unfortunately this isn't just a US-centric issue. The UK seems obsessed with comparing itself to the valley.<p>There's even a wikipedia page for this stuff: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_places_with_%22Silicon%22_names" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_places_with_%22Silicon...</a><p>My personal favourite (in an face-palmy kind of way): <a href="http://i.imgur.com/WKYF1o9.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i.imgur.com/WKYF1o9.jpg</a>
I am sitting here rolling my eyes as I read this article. Really what it comes down to is that state's in general want tech because tech industries tend to bring in greater wealth and with economic wealth you have lower unemployment.<p>However, as a person born and raise in the Detroit suburb's, it's hard to imagine that Detroit or the surrounding region's would ever be a location for tech innovation.<p>You have a VERY large percentage of the labor force with no skill's beyond manufacturing (auto industry), heavy small business tax, a youth population that is migrating out to southern and western locations of the country, a non-premium climate (winter 8 out of 12 months), heavy labor unions, and no serious push from state officials to move internal perception towards an industry/economy of technology.<p>Until the state as a whole begins actively pushing for industry reform and SERIOUS incentives, Michigan will continue to follow it's current course which is very little tech talent, very few tech oriented companies, high small business tax, and very low incentive to start any type of innovation.<p>It is what it is.
> If innovation is about new and different, why would we want to be something that already exists?<p>Because you can follow the same successful approach to encouraging entrepreneurs, but innovate by producing companies that develop new products?<p>You might want to ape silicon valley because of the huge amount of employment and wealth it generates.<p>You don't have to be exactly the same as SV, but no reason not to be inspired by it, if you're looking to create a startup culture.
Michigan needs to ban noncompete contracts. This would go a long way towards reviving the tech industry.<p>Michigan originally banned noncompetes, but the lobbyists for the auto industry got the law changed.
"The region is plagued with astronomical rent and real estate prices, heavy traffic, and a hyper-competitiveness that leaves depression and anxiety in its wake"<p>The rent, real estate, and heavy traffic issues can be avoided with a little urban planning.<p>Build a village with lots of green space:<p><a href="https://h4labs.wordpress.com/2015/08/12/views-from-hoboken/" rel="nofollow">https://h4labs.wordpress.com/2015/08/12/views-from-hoboken/</a>
Look into Detroit, but the Triangle area of NC (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) is one of the best for startups, currently. Google just setup shop in Chapel Hill, there are plenty of startups in Durham and Raleigh, a number of major tech corps in the area, three large universities nearby, etc.
There is an ideology that silicon valley stands for and the reality of the place. Those two things may be very disparate concepts, but that's another debate.<p>I think the popular use of the silicon valley comparison is an attempt to get at the ideology rather than the reality of the place.
"Many articles and lawsuits have documented the region’s lack of diversity and history of sexism and sexual harassment."<p>Glass houses time! Michigan has the 10th highest female / male pay gap in the nation, it's been rated with an F by NARAL, and 47% of Michigan residents have no access to paid sick leave. I know it was a slick ding to break out, but if you're interested in making a distinction with California on inclusion of women and issues of sexism, michigan is lagging in this area by some key metrics. Maybe work to be done at home before worrying about other states.