Local Vibe

 

   When searching Google Maps for a town, you’re offered a chance to explore the local vibe. AI gives a brief summary of what a place is like based on what people are saying about that place. For example, my town of Wannaska is "quiet and peaceful. The people there are friendly and family oriented. They enjoy outdoor sports". I personally know people who say there’s nothing to do there, but AI filters out negativity. 

   AI keeps changing the description each time I look. When I just checked, Wannaska has become "deeply" quiet and "characterized by its lack of hubbub," which is a nice way of saying there's nothing to do there. Wait! What about the annual Potato Days Festival in August. AI admits that the Wannaska Potato Days Festival is actually in Barnesville, MN, 160 southwest of Wannaska (AI said it was southeast). According to AI, Wannaskans enjoy the vibe at the Black Cat Sports Bar. The Black Cat is half way between Barnesville and Wannaska in Thief River Falls, MN.

   It took some deep diving to get AI tell me about the vibe in Palmville Township (pop. 38-39) two miles south of Wannaska where we live. Local residents describe the area as being "a hundred miles from nowhere". They say winters can last seven months making snowmobiling and ice fishing central to the local culture. The vibe is one of hibernation and homebody activities where locals lean into reading, cooking, and community groups. The community is friendly but conservative, and social circles can be hard to break into if you aren't from the area originally.

  I feel mean exposing AI like this. It's like making fun of someone who's trying too hard to please. Sometimes there's a disclaimer at the bottom of these deep dives warning that AI can be wrong and that the traveler should double check before making plans. Good advice. It would be frustrating to be heading for the Barnesville Potato Days Festival and end up in Wannaska on a day when there's nothing going on. 

Wannaska as seen by Hollywood