Chicago's Lack of Media Presence (Orion, Atlanta: house, movies, high school)

[Dream Chaser]

The Urbanophile » Blog Archive » Gaps in Chicago’s Global City Fabric

I read this article and I found it interesting. I know allot of you guys on here might disagree and be offended by this but there's some truth in the article. Chicago is a huge city but lacks media presence. Chicago is under NYC,LA,DC,Las Vegas,Miami and Atlanta. Atlanta has a very huge influence for the blacks.Chicago maybe lacks because it's not caught up in the glamour.Maybe because being located in Midwest, where people are basic.Some may argue that Chicago doesn't need media and glamour , in my opinion I think yes we do. Even in today's world ,Chicago isn't known compared to the cities I mentioned. For example, when I travel and I tell people I'm from Chicago, people don't really got idea about the city. They don't think of it as a city with tall buildings(some of the tallest in the world,one best skylines in the world),extensive urbanity and transit,congested traffic and a very beautiful city.Really the only way Chicago is getting known is from word of mouth. I think most kids in American know what a New York is, or a Las Vegas, or a Hollywood or a DC.

Before you guys disagree with me, look at it in another way. Chicago Bulls is just a basketball team. But this little team has so much influence on the world. Its so influential there's some people that actually think of it when Chicago is brought. Or people travel around the ways just to see the stadium or watch a game.The same can be said about the Cubs,and the Cubs isn't even that good. Chicago is a beautiful city and deserves to have the of attention.

[urbanlife78]

Chicago does have WGN

[JBVirtuoso]

Chicagolicious (obligatory sound warning)

Looks like this is changing.

Anyway, this is just how the media works. San Francisco, Boston, and Houston don't really have much of a media presence either, despite being fairly large and influential cities.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Dream Chaser

The Urbanophile » Blog Archive » Gaps in Chicago’s Global City Fabric

I read this article and I found it interesting. I know allot of you guys on here might disagree and be offended by this but there's some truth in the article. Chicago is a huge city but lacks media presence. Chicago is under NYC,LA,DC,Las Vegas,Miami and Atlanta. Atlanta has a very huge influence for the blacks.
...

First, a point of etiquette: while there is enough dispute about whether or not to use the term "black" or "African American" that either is acceptable in polite conversation, there is really no dispute that the phrase "the blacks" will be viewed as either ignorant or even offensive in polite conversation. I don't think you intended to offend, and for all I know, in this blindness we call the Internet, you are black. But I thought I'd still point that out for future reference.

Moving on to the subject at hand:

These cities rightfully have more "media presence" than Chicago does and that's unlikely to change, ever, unless Chicago declares war against something.
New York is both smaller and older than Chicago.
LA is bigger than Chicago.
DC is both older than Chicago and the capital of the most influential nation on earth.

And I'd love to see stats that put Las Vegas and Miami ahead of Chicago, media-wise. Maybe - I'm not so certain that I'll call you flat-out wrong - but I do find it difficult to believe.

As far as Atlanta having a lot of sway among African Americans (which, in this context, is a better term than "blacks," since I'm pretty sure recent black African immigrants don't have any special ties to Atlanta), Atlanta is the historic cultural and business capital of the South, and African American culture has long had its roots in the South. Even in Chicago, a lot of African Americans trace their family history to the South. Outside of the U.S. what attention does Atlanta attract? Do people even know Atlanta is the token headquarters for CNN? I doubt it. Do they know CocaCola is from there? Probably not. Even as an American, I can't name any other global brand from Atlanta.

[ERS-One]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

Chicago does have WGN

I thought this line was funny:

"I should note that I omitted mentioning “Superstation” WGN which still is carried around the country I believe, as well as some smaller outfits like Journatic."

He believes, because he's not sure, because he couldn't take the 2 minutes of time to look it up. Kind of a sloppy way to put your view out there if you want the public to take you as some sort of authority. Why should we spend our time reading? But anyway....

There's not really a good niche in media for Chicago to occupy. NYC does whatever Chicago could do, but ten times more. L.A. has Hollywood and the studios for movies and television. Atlanta has CNN, and subpar entertainment aimed at black audiences I guess. Miami is like Atlanta, but with Telemundo and Univision,and even more horrible telenovelas. D.C. is obvious because of political coverage and movies about political intrigue. Las Vegas? Whatever.

What are does that leave for Chicago? Orion Samuelson and the soybean report.

And shows/movies about first responders/police/firefighters/trauma surgeons, and the criminals that love them.

I actually think the city gets the appropriate amount of celluloid exposure.


As for fashion - it's NYC, then LA and Miami playing distant runners-up How many fashion centers in 1 country could there be?

[jpchi60630]

I will re-iterate the above poster's statement about how many fashion centers could there be in 1 country? I would disagree that chicago needs more media prescence... Another reality shock show about well to do yuppymeisters and their so called lives? Mind poison. What purpose would it serve? How would that boost chicagoans lives? lol its not like its high school, its not a popularity contest either. Doesn't our distinct variety of architecture speak volumes albeit silently? Kinda like all of our extensive transportation infrastructure? Or to some extent our city's prohibition and gangster related past? As a chicagoan i kinda like it when were off the radar and not so high profile to outsiders. I like that they have to see for themselves what chicago is and draw their own conclusions and make up their own minds... idk this is the confidence that i walk with knowing where im from, but i dont have to inform everybody about it, even when i travel international...

A city's greatness isnt defined by non-resident opinion, rather by the blood sweat and tears and silent efforts of those who call their city home, or spend time away from their loved ones to make a difference for others, or apply their craft to expand culture. Chicago is the city that works, an alpha+ global city. Our influence reaches out in many places since its the financial, commodities,and air/rail transportation epicenter of mid-america. idk many people probably use a good or service they wouldn't think twice that had something to do with chicago. But to me thats ok since i accept that ignorance doesnt make us any less of a city...

I will agree with one thing that i did read on that urbanophile link, how chicago, once a dance music pioneer with house music has lost its former touch, and how most of those former dance fanatics are now 30 somethin with kids and families. I remember a time before mayor daley shut down the club scene tons of gen xers would be out club hopping into the AM before anyone knew what an 'afterparty' or 'goin HAM' or what 'YOLO ' was... heh... such good times! i hate how he's right about midwesterners just like to sit around and drink a bunch.... :::smh::

[Vlajos]

Renn has lost it with that one. World class=fashion center

[Attrill]

Ummm...OK. Is your next post going to be in the LA forum complaining about their lack of commodities exchanges?

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Attrill

Ummm...OK. Is your next post going to be in the LA forum complaining about their lack of commodities exchanges?

I'd rep you for this, but the site wants me to be communist about it.

[flamadiddle]

I'll take "Urban Pontiff Wannabes Blowing Smoke" for $20 Alex!