Is "Technology Village" A Good Name
For SEMO Business Development?

I visited my parents a couple weeks ago and in route drove by the new I-55 interchange just south of Fruitland. It was built partially through the old University farm.

SEMO is hoping to capitalize on this location by turning the approximately 400 acres they own by the interchange into a "Technology Village."

On my drive northward, I contemplated this naming choice.

"Technology Village" is quite generic. Unless the University is going to rent the property out to some nice Amish farm families, it's a pretty safe bet that technology of some kind is going to be involved in whatever projects materialize on the site.

And to be fair, even the Amish use technology. It might have been cutting edge in the 19th Century, but it's still technology.

I don't know if the University considered any other names, but part of me likes "Technology Town." While it is very similar to "Technology Village," "Technology Town" is much more lyrical like Best Buy or Circuit City.

It would definitely sound better on radio commercials, especially if they featured that repeating-word advertising technique that is used to promote some sporting events.

"See all of the latest Technology at the Southeast Missouri State University Technology TOWN TOWN TOWN this SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!"

However, while "Technology Town" does have a rather pleasant lyrical ring to it, it also sounds like a place Santa might have visited in one of those classic Rankin/Bass animated Christmas TV specials.

That actually might not necessarily be a good thing because you know who would likely be in charge at a place named "Technology Town" in one of those holiday specials?

The Burgermeister Meisterburger, of course. He's practically the animated version of Adolf Hitler and I don't think the University would want its shiny, new development being associated -- even in a vague, subtle kind of way -- with the most despised dictator of the 20th century.

No, naming it "Technology Village" rather than "Technology Town" was probably a good decision on the part of the University. And a generic sounding name like "Technology Village" does have benefits.

Primarily, it doesn't pigeonhole SEMO into developing the property for just one type of business. For instance, if they named the development "Bio-Science Burg" you'd expect only businesses in bio-sciences to be there.

It's kind of like Doctor's Park out by Mount Auburn. You expect doctors and businesses that support the healthcare industry to be located in that development. You wouldn't look for a Midas Muffler or a Play It Again Sports in Doctor's Park.

But a modern Technology Village could include businesses focusing on the bio-sciences or healthcare or a community college. They all use technology. It could even legitimately include a McDonald's. McDonald's has been on the cutting edge of fast food technology -- there's that word again -- ever since Ray Kroc opened his first store in 1955.

Yes, "Technology Village" is a nice vanilla moniker that practically covers everyone and everything.

Well, everyone except those Amish farm families.

My Google stats stagnated over the last week. They didn't move a click, up or down. I'm still at 1130. However, my Yahoo stats increased from 2660 to 2840. I like their measure better.

A couple weeks ago I wrote a blog about how our cat Patches wanted her own Twitter account -- she associated the website with birds. I thought it was a complete waste of time and I still do, but apparently some people like her cat-centric comments on Twitter. So for any stat minded readers out there, I'm going to start including how many followers are following the thoughts of our cat.

Her Twitter account is patchthecat. Last Monday she had 4 followers. This Monday she has 9. Go figure.