In 2025, I started writing a bi-weekly newspaper column called “Beyond The County Line” for the CLIFTON RECORD TRIBUNE based in Bosque County, Texas, USA. Below is the introductory article. All other articles published here are delayed so that the paper has primary initial visibility. Check out the paper’s Facebook page.
NOTE: Versions of articles posted on this website are what were submitted. The newspaper editors undoubtedly made tweaks and improvements, so you should subscribe to get the final versions and keep up with rural Texas news.
NOTE #2: To find different articles…
For DESKTOP BROWSERS…. go to the MENU at the top of the pages and HOVER over the WRITINGS and then HOVER over the options of different categories and the HOVER over the different articles until you find one of interest and then CLICK to activate and read that one.
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Grateful for New Things
Originally published May 8, 2025
Welcome. This space is dedicated to looking forward and pondering.
Here you should expect macro-level, thought-provoking commentary on the interesting geopolitical, social, and technological shifts on the horizon. The goal: to provide insight and value. I can’t say that I’ll never offer my opinion, but the only persuasion I will consistently attempt is for you to agree with me that whatever topic is being offered is worth considering.
Hi. I’m Matt Wallace, a proud Bosque County resident with family ties here since the mid-1800s. When I mentioned this new literary venture to my parents, they reminded me that my grandmother, Tira Wallace, had a column for many years in the Meridian Tribune, and I would be continuing on in that vein. With that reminder, I must consider how what is written here will reflect on more than just me; it is a sobering realization. My best efforts were already the plan, but for those of you who remember and loved my Nanny, I pray that this effort honors her and the rest of the Knudson-Wallace family.
Why “Beyond the County Line?” Much of my experience and current work is outside of Bosque County. As much as I love it here, things just work out like they do. And for me, my expertise and interests tend to pull me to far away places. Not just the larger cities of Texas, but much further out. Much further. Instead of offering a resume, I’ll stop here and simply say that I’m regularly engaging different worldviews and cultures that offer me diverse options for how to see things. And yet, I can attest that people are people. Generally, people want to live their lives, grow a solid family, and do so with minimal pain and change.
Because I know most people are not excited by change, I’ll do my best to not sound like I should convince you otherwise. Hopefully the coming articles will be a friendly voice helping you get a better grasp of what change might be coming your way, or maybe offer a better understanding of change that is clearly already in progress.
At risk of giving too much away, or worse, making unintended promises, this column will attempt to connect the dots between large-scale global changes and their tangible effects right here in Central Texas. Expect commentary on how developments in technology, geopolitics, economics, and society intersect and reshape our region and our daily lives, moving beyond the typical headlines.
For instance, we might explore how advancements like AI in agriculture or autonomous vehicles could transform local industries and infrastructure. Seriously, have you pondered whether I-35 might improve overtime, even with more traffic? Well, I’m not counting on that either, but some improvements might be possible. And would we even notice actual improvements if the traffic volume climbs even higher? Or maybe we can analyze the growing strain on resources like water and the power grid from new technologies that have to do with both the crazy and real discussions around climate pressures. Other pieces could delve into how global competition impacts key local sectors like semiconductors, or examine the challenges communities face in adapting to demographic shifts, such as an aging population, while preserving their unique character. And as a technologist and filmmaker, I must admit there is a real chance that topics which relate to these areas will also popup from time to time. Ultimately, the aim for all of these potential topics is to provide insightful perspectives on the forces shaping our collective future.
Since most of the time the complexity of such topics is off-the-charts, I will note here and now that the topics and initial insights will often be triggered by the various media feeds I have cultivated for myself over the years. There is no denying that there is more source material today than ever before. Yes, I am in tune with how suspicious we all should be from many of the “trusted sources.” And, as a filmmaker/video producer/editor, I’m also quite familiar with how people spin things to say what they want. Hopefully, I’m better than the average guy at spotting such things. Regardless of whether that is true, it seems appropriate to acknowledge that I do not have a large team of researchers backing my every sentence. Nevertheless, effort will be made to ensure the information shared here is worthy of your consideration.
And to hit this point one more time, these complex topics will never be completely unpacked in a few paragraphs. Not every topic will directly impact you. Even so, I hope these articles make you think about whether these future shifts could affect you and if you might need to plan or decide accordingly in the near future. But as interdependent as we are, even in this lovely independent-minded land of Texas, there really are few topics that have absolutely no impact on each of us at some level.
Give me a chance to dial this in. I’m just as curious as some of you as to where this all goes. Join me. We can figure it out together. And even though we have a decent list of potential articles already started, your recommendations will be taken seriously and welcomed.
I am grateful for this opportunity. I am grateful for your support. I am grateful for so much more.
And beyond this, let’s see what’s next!
J Matt Wallace