Are blogs destroying the Northwest Arkansas Economy?

Apparently some of our readers thinks this blog is destroying the local Northwest Arkansas economy with “all your negativity.” Yeah, we’re a negative bunch of pusses. Maybe it’s from driving past all the empty storefronts, dilapidated buildings, and restaurants in Downtown Rogers and along Walnut everyday that is settling the locals into a deep funk. Surely that is our fault. Or, getting lost among the weed-choked lots of the forgotten housing developments dotting the city of Bentonville. If only Rog had given the local hog farmers-turned real estate tycoons more money to finish their pipe dreams. Or questioning how in the world we can boast that we’re 47th poorest state in the Union and mark hungry kids, sacrifice and poverty as an honorable badge of courage. Wouldn’t it have been nice if Rog’s mom had flung open the doors of her kitchen for daily pancake breakfasts for every poor immigrant kid so they could overcome attention deficit disorders, learned a new language, and played football for the Razorbacks. You’re right, Northwest Arkansas problems weren’t here before Rog started pointing them out. I apologize for our selfish observations.

Quote of the Day for Northwest Arkansas

“The need for food assistance in Northwest Arkansas is greater than any time since the Great Depression,” 4029TV.com

New blogs = New attitudes

We like blogs – even when we don’t agree with the author. It’s called freedom of speech. Plus, blogging give all those creative writing-types fired during the collapse of the newspaper business in Northwest Arkansas something to do while getting ready to work the drive-up window at Sonic tomorrow morning. Speaking of new blogs, here’s a new one about Northwest Arkansas. Check it out and bookmark it: thedogoodletters.blogspot.com Rog

Northwest Arkansas newspaper editor accuses local bloggers of Groupthink

Groupthink is a concept that refers to faulty decision-making in a group. Some believe the recent merger between newspapers in Northwest Arkansas will result in regional groupthink as alternative viewpoints and perspectives are supressed. Groups experiencing groupthink do not consider all alternatives and they desire unanimity at the expense of quality decisions. Groups attacking alternative viewpoints and controversial perspectives are often suffering Groupthink. Learn more about groupthink and then complete the interactive exercise at the end of the discussion to determine if you suffer from Groupthink. Since local bloggers are individuals not bound by the influences of powerful stakeholders including politicians, major employers, big advertisers and investors demanding maximizing profitability, there is little risk bloggers will suffer groupthink, according to experts in the subject. If the merger of local newspapers believes the region is suffering groupthink at the hands of local bloggers, we believe the issue deserves closer examination. But first, what exactly is Groupthink? Conditions Groupthink occurs when groups are highly cohesive and when they are under considerable pressure to make a quality decision. Negative outcomes Some negative outcomes of groupthink include: Examining few alternatives Not being critical of each other’s ideas Not examining early alternatives Not seeking expert opinion Being highly selective in gathering information · Not having contingency plans Symptoms Some symptoms of groupthink are: Having an illusion of invulnerability Rationalizing poor decisions Believing in the group’s morality Sharing stereotypes which guide the decision Exercising direct pressure on others Not expressing your true feelings Maintaining an illusion of unanimity · Using mindguards to protect the group from negative information Solutions Some solutions include: Using a policy-forming group which reports to the larger group Having leaders remain impartial Using different policy groups for different tasks Dividing into groups and then discuss differences Discussing within sub-groups and then report back Using outside experts Using a Devil’s advocate to question all the group’s ideas · Holding a “second-chance meeting” to offer one last opportunity to choose another course of action 1. What symptoms of groupthink were present in the recent merger between two Northwest Arkansas newspapers? 2. Do Northwest Arkansas bloggers suffer from Groupthink? 3. What were some of the negative consequences of the group decision-making process in the recent merger between two Northwest Arkansas newspapers? 4. What positive influences are bloggers bringing to Northwest Arkansas to fight Groupthink 5. What approaches to decision-making were used in the recent merger between two Northwest Arkansas newspapers that resulted in groupthink? 6. How have bloggers prevented groupthink in your life? 7. What bloggers are embracing groupthink? More to follow on how bloggers are impacting groupthink in Northwest Arkansas.

Quote of the day: Judge Dave Bisbee on Northwest Arkansas stray dog problems

“I am smart enough to know not to get between an Arkansan and his dog. Any elected official who does that will not continue to be elected, and I like being county judge.” Dave Bisbee, County Judge in Northwest Arkansas. The overwhelming problem of stray dogs and wild pack dogs terrorizing neighborhoods attacking farm animals in Benton County is blamed on inadequate regulation and enforcement, according to today’s Democrat-Gazette

Plans for New High Schools Put on Hold in Northwest Arkansas

Stalled economic growth, administrative hurdles and on-going money disputes with the state of Arkansas have put new high schools in three northwest Arkansas districts on hold. “They may never get built in my kid’s lifetime,” declared one frustrated parent. Farmington, Lincoln and Elkins school districts in Northwest Arkansas will be stuck with aging and outdated school facilities for years before adequate educational facilities get built.

A Bentonville Buffet — The Cool Things They Claim They Do

Gary Compton, superintendent of Bentonville Public Schools, will speak at noon Friday, Nov. 13, in room 210 of the Graduate Education Building on the University of Arkansas campus. Compton’s lecture, titled “A Bentonville Buffet — The Cool Things We Do” is part of the series sponsored by the university’s department of education reform. It is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be served. RSVP online at uark.edu/ua/der.

Northwest Arkansas Broader Measure of Unemployment now at 17.5%.

Official Unemployment rates exclude people who have given up looking and part-timers who want to work full time. These folks fly under the radar among the official government statistics. Called the “Broader measure of Unemployment” the rate in Arkansas is now 17.5%. Arkansas is a state that traditionally has a disproportionate number of underemployed and part-time workers, and others who have simply given up looking.

Unemployment rate jumps to 10.2 percent

Arkansas expected to follow nation with higher job losses

20 homeless kids sit in limbo while law prevents adoptions in Northwest Arkansas

There are at least 20 children in Northwest Arkansas who need to find a home, reports KNWA. But, because of our hypocritical citizens who passed a law banning certain adoptions, these kids won’t have a mom or dad this Thanksgiving. To see kids who need homes in Northwest Arkansas, click here. Thank goodness citizens who care, including law students at the University of Arkansa, are challenging the validity of Act One, which bans co-habiting, unmarried couples from adopting kids. Read the story on KNWA, where on-line news is still free.