The Trading Post

Like our hometown of Chicago’s history, THE FRONTIER LAB centers around a trading post. After all, trading posts are not only places where goods change hands. Throughout history, trading posts have been centers of civilization where news and ideas are exchanged.

At THE TRADING POST, modern-day pathfinders, pioneers, traders, and entrepreneurs come together to share their viewpoints on the important news of the moment and their evolving vision for America. We will be studying their motivations and behaviors over the course of the year, and share insights in our Re-orienteering report in the fall of 2012.

Read THE TRADING POST profiles below. Which one best represents you? 

For a first look at our research or to be a subject of an upcoming study, please sign up here.

The Pathfinder

The Pathfinder recognizes the trails beaten by the Pioneers before him, and seeks to improve, direct, and optimize their inroads into the political landscape. The Pathfinder has yet to find his community, although it is growing around him and will unite political savvy with the raw emotion of the Pioneer if they are able to facilitate dialogue and mutual respect.

The Pioneer

The Pioneer was the first to awaken to the call of the Frontier; both brave and brash, the Pioneer seeks the path to a better life for himself and his family, motivated by a sense of purpose and pride in the promise of America. He went into the wilderness and fought back foes, and is inspired by the challenge of the untrodden path and the strength of his community.

The Trader

The Trader comes to the Frontier to take advantage of the need for order, structure, and the short-cuts of civilization. He doesn’t seek to forge paths himself, but instead brings the knowledge and goods of his community to the Frontier people.

The Entrepreneur 

The Entrepreneur seeks to invest his capital in the promise of the Frontier; he will build upon the paths forged and improved by the Pathfinders and Pioneers in order to create lasting structures and ideas. He is motivated by an understanding of their contribution but a keen desire to create value for himself and for his country.