How does Movoto define "boring?" Basically, the site says, the more nightlife, arts/entertainment, parks/outdoor activities, fancy restaurants and population of 18- to 34-year-olds a city has, the less boring they are. The fewer of all those, and the greater the number of fast-food restaurants, the more boring they are. But who says you can't have fun at Burger King? Who says you couldn't fall asleep in your seat from sheer apathy at Chipotle Mexican Grill?
The criteria, though, are things businesses and people take into account when deciding where to locate. Jackson, of course, is looking to address such issues in its ongoing effort to reinvent itself.
The Farish Street Entertainment District was to inject a slew of music clubs and nightlife into downtown, but its future remains up in the air amid lawsuits and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development wanting $1.5 million used to purchase property for the project repaid by the city.
Jackson has no shortage of restaurants but still too few that are open after sunset or on weekends - two times when the coveted 18- to 34-year-old customer demographic likes to dine out, hear live music, see a play or movie. Or even eat fast food, no doubt to Movoto's horror.
The privately funded Vision 2022 long-range plan for improving the quality of life in metro Jackson contains some ideas, too. One is a "calendar of events" app in which the public could share events listings. Another is a network to support artists who practice their craft locally. Yet another is creating a large park that could host community events. A "Blues Week" promotion would spotlight the Magnolia State's most treasured cultural contribution to the world by tying concerts to related museum exhibits.
Each is in its infancy and may never materialize. Or they may come to fruition. At least the chambers of commerce and businesses behind Vision 2022 realize things to do outside the home and workplace are part of the same equation as good infrastructure and a skilled workforce in growing the area's economic prospects.
If those ideas flourish, you certainly won't be able to call Jackson boring. I haven't been bored much in my seven years here. Mississippi and Jackson are as unique - and not boring - as any place I've ever lived.
Boring means something different to everyone. Some may find Times Square or Piccadilly Circus or the Great Wall of China boring. Some may find their one-stoplight hometowns to be the most exciting places on Earth.
For Movoto, Lubbock, Texas is the most boring U.S. city - I've never been there, so I can't say they're right or wrong, but it surely has some charms. North Las Vegas, Nev., is second. But how boring can that city be when regular (non-North) Las Vegas is next door? Interestingly, three cities considered part of the reputedly thrilling Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex - Irving, Plano and Arlington - were among the website's 11 most boring cities. Everything's bigger in Texas, even the boredom, Movoto seems to be saying.
Metro Jackson and Mississippi have plenty of non-boring things - shopping, movie theaters, restaurants, art galleries, endless outdoors activities and, at the moment, two undefeated, Top 10 college football teams. Check them out. Give them a try. You won't be bored.
Contact Jeff Ayres at (601) 961-7050 or jeff.ayres@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @jeffayres71 on Twitter.