Fort Wayne, the most ........

It started years ago when Men's Health Magazine first ran a poll that included Fort Wayne as one of the "Fattest" cities in the country. Then it continued.....these so-called "polls" listed us as the most unhappiest, angry, ignorant and unfunny places on the planet. 

In essence, these polls mean nothing....they are merely a way for publicity-challenged outfit like, Men's Health, to create a stir and translate that into free publicity. Our Fort Wayne media, given pre-made, packaged stories, take the bait. And since most of the kids writing and producing the news are not from Fort Wayne and really don't give a crap about the audience they serve, they gladly pass on the fodder as "news" and can leave early for drinks at Club Soda.

For more than a few hours today WPTA/21Alive tweeted a link to a story about this "poll" on their webpage (now removed) from a national real estate outfit, which the Maven will not name. Like all the rest of these stunts, it's a bullshit poll that does nothing but insult our city and it's people. According to the poll, Fort Wayne is one the most boring places in the free world and parts of Arkansas. 

Of course, WANE TV is still running the story, and by their words, appear pretty excited to slap Fort Wayne and it's residents in the face. WANE TV seems to have a hate/hate relationship with it's audience. While the same might be said about the kids in the WOWO news room, the Maven believes the WOWO issue is more of ineptitude as opposed to blatant hate for those they serve. Most in local media are here only for a short time, until they can create a good highlight reel....then it's off to Indianapolis, or Dayton, or Grand Rapids....where the process will begin again. 

The Maven is confused, since usually our media loves to champion any idea or project put out by the City administration as the greatest thing since sliced bread and the Wonderbra. Time and time again, local media play cheerleader for good and bad ideas to enhance the quality of life here. Why? Because the local media is heavily dependent upon local advertisers to pay the bills. Many of these local advertisers also have stakes in new development projects, and the media don't want to screw the relationship.

Why WPTA and WANE TV include bullshit articles, that insult Fort Wayne citizens, is a mystery. 

Perhaps we do deserve a title, the Maven would like to nominate our town as home of the MOST GULLIBLE MEDIA on the planet. It's a well-deserved title.