Are Minnesotans too uncritical about things Minnesotan?

Minnesotans are very over prideful, and yes this does make us uncritical of things Minnesotan. Other artists like Atmosphere have also brought up the fact that MN has a overflow of musicians and some should be given harsher criticism towards there work. Harsh criticism is indeed important for any musician if they choose to move forward with what they do.

None of this is mentioned in the article in the Strib though, and the points Buchholz writes about are terrible arguyments to make. A band name is important, but not the main point when arguing about this.

The mention of Gay Witch Abortion’s name being bad, it makes me think she has never heard the band play. I’d say it is perfect for them. Music is hardly ever clean.

The overdone introduction with M. Wheat is unneeded too, it’s just not a well written article.

My wife is very critical of me, a native Minnesotan, with specific regional frailties. Oh yeah, but she’s a native Californian. She’s been here almost twenty years and it hasn’t quite sunken in yet.

No, we are not “too uncritical.” But we are relatively uncritical, which is probably fine. Why not have a soft spot in our hearts for local talent, businesses and institutions? Most of them will get rough treatment from the market or the national press if they deserve it; why not give them a little love at home?

And being too uncritical of local businesses is not unique to Minnesota. Every locality does it. For Minnesota, it means we’re unwilling to see that the medical device industry is every bit as inimical to a rational health care system as Big Pharma is, and for exactly the same reasons.

What makes Minnesota unique from most every other state is that in general, a good balance of working institutions (e.g., education, government and business). So much so that Minnesotans are far too “Minnesota Nice” (e.g., arrogent, closed minded and blinded) to outside influence and perspectives. For example. Minnesotans rave about the University of Minnesota as an institution of hire learning. Many rankings have the “U” overall generally in about the 20th position. Yet where do many individuals and organizations go for expertise…the “U.” Thus expertise is limited to a single mindset. Take music. Despite what many would have believe, contemporary music in the state when one looks at the popular stations, the music is pretty generic/vanilla. In closing, look at what makes the people of Minnesota, Minnesotans…”Minnesota Nice.” Which is to say, we just don’t want open, straight forward dialog. Best not to offend…anyone.

The University of Minnesota is an institution of “hire” learning?

Are you sure about that?

Is that where you got your “hire” learning?

By the way:

Keillor’s job is to continue pocketing free taxpayer money in spite of the fact that his show is a commercial success.

The combination of evil Capitalist profits and free taxpayer cash payments has made keillor a very wealthy multi-millionaire one percenter Capitalist-Socialist.

All of these derogatory definitions of “Minnesota Nice” being posted here indicated a need for the real meaning of the term to be put up.

Minnesota Nice became a saying back in about the late 1960’s, when there was alot of news stories nationally showing people getting beaten or raped or killed in New York subways or wherever, and folks standing around not helping the victim.

Minnesota Nice developed then, meaning that we here in Minnesota were not like that, indeed, we would help anyone in distress or being victimized at any time for any reason. We would not turn our backs and “not get involved.” Also, we would help anyone in need, the hungry, the homeless, etc. We would give them money or food or shelter as needed.

This is part of our heritage. Tis what we do.

The idea grew, and became a thing across the country, until everyone knew what Minnesota Nice was.

The chronically poor came here because we have (had) a higher welfare payment system. Indeed, signs were put up on the doors and walls of State welfare offices in border towns in Texas and southern California that said variations of, “Go to Minnesota. They pay more.”

Which hurt us, of course, as we were then financially supporting those who had no roots and no jobs and no prospects.

But let us use the term as it was meant to be used. That we are a good, sharing, kind, giving people. It is in our genes.

One reason why Minnesotans are uncritical of things Minnesotan may be because of the comparative smallness of our communities here to those on the coasts. There just aren’t that many Minnesotans. People don’t want to burn their bridges: they will need to cross them again in the future. Also the small town “crazy uncle” phenomenon is in play here. In our smallish metropolitan area, one bad apple, or incident can spoil the reputation of whole an entire enterprise. Examples of this is the current Fairview/Accretive debacle and the failure in leadership ethics at Best Buy. Every family has at least one “crazy uncle.” So we refrain from pointing out the obvious, least we be judged in return.

“she also embodies what I find interesting in terms of the almost natural desire to avoid conflict that one seems to continually encounter in MN.”

Giganto M., interesting that you concede that avoiding conflict is “almost” natural. But maybe that was a typo. Anyway, I’m not a big fan of conflict (like many people, here and elsewhere, I’d guess), but don’t mistake that for a lack of confidence, or avoidance of argument/debate. I’m all for debate and impassioned disagreement. The point I made (that I stand by) wasn’t motivated by insecurity or a desire to “just get along” – it’s my strong opinion. That’s all.

Minnesota isn’t the only state afflicted with this, btw. Every small-population state does the same thing, as do small municipalities overshadowed by metropolitan centers, as does the whole country of Canada.