Economist Richard Florida's 2002 article, called "The Rise of the Creative Class: Why cities without gays and rock bands are losing the economic development race." Basically, Florida argues that "lifestyle amenities" like a cultural scene and diversity makes some cities more attractive to creative people who build economically successful enterprises than other cities that lack these features. Fine, I accept this, especially since Florida bolsters his arguments with impressive charts and metrics. I should also add that the "lifestyle amenities" argument is taken very seriously by cities like Sioux Falls, where JA & I were told that the addition of an arts center helped the local industries and hospitals attract quality personnel away from major metropoli.What I find implausible is his "convenient" conversation with a tattooed and pierced poster boy for his thesis in his lead. This writing device is akin to finding the savvy cabdriver who always comes through with a pithy money quote—and on deadline, too, not two weeks after publication, which is when they always deliver 'em to me. But maybe I'm just jealous.
