Has anyone else read “Text-Based Case: How a Small Town Became a Hub for Artistic Whims”? I found the whole concept of transforming a forgotten place through, essentially, creativity fascinating. The book highlighted how a simple art collective,initially focused on interactive fiction and ASCII art,brought unexpected tourism and economic revitalization to Cedar Creek.
What struck me most was the dedication to community involvement. It wasn’t just outside artists parachuting in; locals learned the skills and became creators themselves. Ther’s a chapter detailing Mrs. Henderson, the town librarian, who became a surprisingly prolific text-adventure designer.
I’m curious if anyone knows of other real-world examples similar to Cedar creek. Are there other instances where a niche art form has been instrumental in reviving a struggling town? Or perhaps cases where technology, even something relatively “low-tech” like text-based art, has surprisingly boosted local economies?