A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING

Cities seek to be 'smart,' 'intelligent,' and 'connected' and we reserve praise for cities that have achieved Internet ubiquity linking a highly educated population. But what about places that aren't advanced or technologically sophisticated. At a time when we focus on the people and places that are part of the knowledge economy it is instructive to consider the fate of those who are not as well connected. Using a case study of the state of Michigan in the United States, this paper will analyse survey data that examines reasons for non-participation in the knowledge economy. Findings show that cost remains a barrier for some, but there are others who do not wish to participate by choice. This leaves policy makers, and society in general, with the challenge of managing the uninterested and disconnected.