25 Comments

Relationships in Indy don't involve big power differences because no one has real power.

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All I can think of is Flyover Country. And how good it feels to live there. The Elites can have the Coasts.

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I appreciate that you focus so much on the backrow folks in your routes through these cities, and your posts, but that you don't slip into "ruin-porn" with the photos you include. I find myself wanting to see photos of some of the characters you describe, and then realized you're intentionally not including any of those photos. Kudos...

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Chris, I just discovered that you were on Substack - this article is a perfect example of why I read all of your work. I've spent only a few days in Indianapolis, expecting to find it unremarkable at best. I loved it, and hope to return.

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Native Indiana gal here (Elkhart, Bloomington), now living in Nashville, TN. Another friend of mine here in Nashville, native of Muncie, Indiana, likes to say of Hoosiers: "We work hard and don't expect much." I think your piece fits right in. Thank you. (And please come to Nashville sometime. There's a non-tourist creative community here you won't believe.)

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Loved the writing. I lived just outside of Indianapolis for almost 2/3 of my life and I feel like you captured what makes in my mind an underrated city special. I would be really curious to see if your opinion changes with a north to south walk. Like a lot of cities I think class disparities are more apparent moving north to south and you may not have the same uniform working class perspective. Class disparities aren’t as massive as NYC for example but definitely present.

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This makes indy look like a total shit hole.

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Thanks - am a HS teacher, hope to check that one out. Shop class still has a place in public schools but is out of favor these days and sadly much diminished.

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As an Indy native, I agree with most of this. At surface level, the city isn't one of the busiest and may look dry to an outsider, but the city has several arts districts, subcultures and other gems you have to look for. I'm from the east coast and have been in Indy for over decade, it may not be glamorous but there is so much to offer.

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Oct 22, 2021Liked by Chris Arnade

If I weren't a female slight of build and without knowledge of jujitsu, I would do what you're doing Chris. Thanks.

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Great piece. I spent a week in Indy 30 years ago for some training, and still have fond memories of it. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not.

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What is BLEGH?

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The American Conservative prints similar articles from time to time, extolling the idylls of Flyover America.

This one craps on all of them, and from a great height. Probably because it is not trying to make an overt ideological point.

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Oct 19, 2021Liked by Chris Arnade

Nice work. You’re mining a good groove. But it could be that making stuff for a living and getting dirty doing it may actually be a better way to live than it’s generally given credit for - even by you, who’ve gone out in search of it for observation’s sake. Ever notice how many people in the front rows are neurotic or otherwise messed up? We were meant to use our hands and bodies, like you do when you’re out snooping around. People who disdain that are just trapped in a retro way of associating lack of physical exertion with the trappings of status. Anyway, keep up the good work!

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Oct 18, 2021Liked by Chris Arnade

I appreciate your focus, observations and concise writing. You are dwelling on larger themes and policies but leave it to the reader/viewer to ponder. So this triggers pondering about morality and immigration and aged housing stock for folks yearning to move to America more fervently the the Bradfords, Brewsters and Standishes. And it looks like I missed you in Buffalo a second time. Hope the turtles are well.

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Something tells me I don't really want to know, but I'll ask anyway: what is "tweaking", as in "a man tweaking in a piss-smelling bus stop". Thanks (I think).

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