Red Line Fever

The setting: Picture Cambridge’s Kendall Square, adjacent to MIT, world renowned for invention and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, Boston’s Mayor Tom Menino initiates an effort to lure these new companies to South Boston’s industrial waterfront, newly designated the “Innovation District.” A thin red line and a “Charlie Card” connect the two locations.  Far to the south, connecting at South Station via Amtrak, NYC Mayor Bloomberg claims the Axis of Ego now runs directly from Sunnyvale to the Roosevelt Island tramway. “Today, we’re second only to Silicon Valley as a tech center, and we don’t like to be second to anybody,” he says.  Dramatis personæ aside, we tell the true story here.

Red Line Fever, a Hi-Tech Symphony

Clanking wheels

Burping beer,

Braking squeals

Bold Idea!

Accelerator wants a beta.

TechStars, MassChallenge, Angels, VCs

Founders dilemmas weakening knees.

VC backing

Sends you packing.

Leaving when?

Start again.

Lemmings rush a dirty sea

All the way from MIT

Building an economy

Based upon mobility

Making jobs for you and me.

Buckle down it’s not too hard

When you use your Charlie Card.

Kendall Square to Whitey’s town

Founders whooshing underground

With the scent of innovation

Rising from each Red Line station.

Silicon Valley? Silicon Alley?

Boulder and D.C.

You can’t match the red “T” sign

America’s

 Technology

Subway

Line.

George McQuilken, Copyright 2012