Saving this just in case I ever run for public office.

Can you explain this obsession with locality? There's a place for it, but not always. In HN I've seen it used as a sort of artificial or unorganic "going back to the roots" kind of thing.

My local newspaper is boring, because nothing happens in my small city. There's no Nexdoor. There are very few if any local events. You can create a youtube or tiktok account and get your message spread to a wider range of people and tell if you're charismatic enough or if your ideas resonate in less time and with less effort. You're also competing with people doing this.

Think about it this way. Most ideas are garbage. But people are always looking for good ideas. If your ideas can’t hack it in the local scene, that’s to everyone’s benefit that only a small local audience has to deal with your rubbish. But if you rush your ideas to the global audience, you’re adding to a huge trash pile. Even if your ideas are good at this point, you are still going to need boosters in order for them to be found - and when they’re not you’re contributing to the burying of good ideas. That’s why you should start in the local community.

On a more personal note. If you think you community sucks, change it. Easier said than done, I know, but the alternative, resignation such as you have displayed, is repulsive.

Interesting theory but I ultimately disagree. I could have ideas that apply to my country on a national level, but not much input for the local scene specifically. I think these are completely different skillsets in fact.

>> But if you rush your ideas to the global audience, you’re adding to a huge trash pile

You're expecting too much altruism here. I don't care if "I'm adding to a huge trash pile".

>> the alternative, resignation such as you have displayed, is repulsive.

It's more of a lack of interest. Small fish in a big pond vs big fish in a small pond, etc.