The Silicon Valley of Fantastic Claims

The race to become the "Silicon Valley of..." something is getting crowded.

Iowa entered the fray with the 2006 election of Gov. Chet Culver, who has been saying since he put hand on Bible that he would push hard to make Iowa, "The Silicon Valley of the Midwest."

He renewed that clarion call just last month, when the U.S. energy secretary promised to clear the way for gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol:

“Energy independence is more than simply an Iowa initiative, it's something of national importance,” said Culver. “We are well on our way to making Iowa the renewable energy capitol of the United States and the Silicon Valley of the Midwest.”

I thought we were shooting for energy capitol of the world. Huh.  Not even the Iowa Department of Hyperbole has not been spared from budget cuts.

Word comes today from a former colleague that another Silicon Valley could be emerging. This from The Ohio State University:

Ohio State research to help state become “Silicon Valley for vehicle electrification”

Partnership to accelerate electric vehicle industry in Ohio

The Ohio State University is working with industry partners to accelerate the electric vehicle industry in Ohio. The university's Center for Automotive Research (CAR) today secured state approval for the first $500,000 of a $3 million Ohio Third Frontier Grant designed to help develop market-viable commercial electric vehicles, including buses and trucks, that represent a potential growth rate of 17.1% annually.

Ohio companies Vanner Inc. and American Electric Power, along with STMicroelectronics of Michigan and Fil-Mor Express of Minnesota, are collaborating with CAR on the initiative, which is projected to create more than 900 new jobs over the next five years.

Impressive. But, hey, isn't Ohio technically in the Midwest? I'm afraid this region ain't big enough for two Silicon Valleys.

For one thing, we're already jammed with Saudi Arabias.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed that his state is on its way to becoming the "Saudi Arabia of Renewable Fuels."  I guess that's better than being "The Saudi Arabia of Women's Rights."

North Dakota is the "Saudi Arabia of Wind."

Not so fast, so is Nebraska. And don't mess with a very windy Texas.

Since the new Ohio effort involves cars, maybe Ohio can become "The Detroit of the Midwest." Oh, yeah, I guess that won't work.

How about this -- an immediate moratorium on becoming the Silicon Valley, Saudia Arabia or capital of anything? Politicos and others who think we get excited about these prideful flourishes need to think again. The grander the claim, the stronger the skepticism.

I'd also implore them to stop saying we need a new "Apollo Program for..." solving some big issue. Anyone who uses that cliche should be shot into space.