With Carmel recently launching its feasibility study for a potential convention center, it was not surprising to see an outcry from many Carmel residents, especially online via Twitter and Facebook. In our increasingly headline-driven and 140-characters-or-less world, it is easy to miss the details of a story and jump to conclusions. I am guilty of this type of reaction from time to time, although I have been trying to temper my reaction to things as much as possible before learning the first story.
Last week, I looked for reader’s reactions via Twitter asking, “What are your thoughts on the possibility of a convention center around twice the size of existing facilities in Carmel?” A number of seemingly knee-jerk reactions were quickly sent my way. Despite the fact that a study has only just been launched and nothing at all has been set in stone, I received a number of short and direct “no” replies, often without any further explanation.
I dug a bit deeper, replying back to those that had sent something my way with additional questions like, “Any particular reason?” or “What if it was entirely privately funded?” From here, the conversation began to get a bit more interesting. Once I included the fact that any potential center may be privately funded, publically funded or any combination thereof, people started to loosen up a bit to the idea. Even still, I received some baffling responses including one that called the potential and far from architecturally-designed center an “eyesore.”
In the online world, it is so easy to give your opinion that you can often give it before being forced to give the facts a bit of time in your mind, leaving you with a gut reaction to your initial take.
With something like a convention center, this study is simply the first in a very long chain of steps, a chain that may come to an end depending on the results of the study. I have found that the more level-headed and clear-minded I try to be in my reception of information (reading an article, speaking with a city official, etc.), the more constructive the following conversation can become.
As developments, progress and change continues throughout Carmel during the next several months, I hope to do my best to steer clear of quick reactions and focus on good discussions. Won’t you join me? It’s a bit more fun over here.