http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0205.florida.html “Why cities without gays and rock bands are losing the economic development race”
I'm interested in why some cities are seemingly more successful than others too. I had put success down (somewhat imprecisely) as being related to “hustle.” This article (a teaser for a book) ranks cities according to a “creativity index.” I didn't look at the numbers, but these statements were interesting:
“Places that thrive in today's world tend to be plug-and-play communities where anyone can fit in quickly. These are places where people can find opportunity, build support structures, be themselves, and not get stuck in any one identity. The plug-and-play community is one that somebody can move into and put together a life—or at least a facsimile of a life—in a week.”
…
“Talented people seek an environment open to differences. Many highly creative people, regardless of ethnic background or sexual orientation, grew up feeling like outsiders, different in some way from most of their schoolmates. When they are sizing up a new company and community, acceptance of diversity and of gays in particular is a sign that reads ‘non-standard people welcome here.’ ”
…
“A vibrant, varied nightlife was viewed by many as another signal that a city ‘gets it,’ even by those who infrequently partake in nightlife.”
Update: An article in the NYT discussing the book mentions two alternative theories that attempt to explain a city's measure of success: the “social capital theory” developed by the Harvard political scientist Robert D. Putnam, which says economic growth is tied to the amount of civic participation and social cohesion in a community and the “human capital theory” associated with Mr. Glaeser and the University of Chicago economist Robert E. Lucas, which says economic growth is driven by concentrations of educated people.” (Florida's theory is described as the “creative-capital” theory.) 14:17