Re:Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines
by jondthompson on Saturday November 15, 2014 @12:34PM
(#8612123)
It's great that this has changed in the 25 years since he wrote this, and even longer since he lived it.
I live in Des Moines. I choose to. There are many people intent on improving Des Moines. It's easy to get in touch with the people that have the political and economic ability to drive that change. Zach is an example of this.
Re:Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines
by davidw on Saturday November 15, 2014 @04:12PM
(#8612681)
Bryson actually has a number of kind things to say about Iowa; that's the first bit of the book, and it's probably written to hook you. I think overall it's a pretty funny and interesting read about his travels throughout the US, although yes, it's been in print a while. As a native of Oregon, I'm still a bit bitter that he skipped the Pacific Northwest entirely, though.
Re:Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines
by jondthompson on Saturday November 15, 2014 @06:45PM
(#8612995)
I get that. However, I was responding the quote that has been used multiple times to describe Des Moines, which is from an experience that ended before I was born.
The opening bit of this book talks about that: http://www.billbryson.co.uk/index.php/the-lost-continent/#ex... (click on extract to read)
"I come from Des Moines. Somebody had to. When you come from Des Moines you either accept the fact without question and settle down with a local girl named Bobbi and get a job at the Firestone factory and live there for ever and ever, or you spend your adolescence moaning at length about what a dump it is and how you can’t wait to get out, and then you settle down with a local girl named Bobbi and get a job at the Firestone factory and live there for ever and ever."