This insightful and thought provoking article ‘Talentopolis’ by Richard Florida adds and entirely new dimension to the talent debate.
The article chronicles the rapid growth of degree qualified people in America however this has been concentrated in specific regions. “Increasingly, the most talented and ambitious people need to live in the means metros in order to realize their full economic value. The physical proximity of talented, highly educated people has a powerful effect on innovation and economic growth.” When you step back and look at it this makes sense. Across the globe you see cities and regions that are hotbeds of talent and success, whilst others don’t even register on the radar.
The research then goes on to look at the impact of migration on different regions and ultimately the differing affects this has on growth, education and wealth. Migration and this “geographic sorting of people by economic potential” is what Florida terms as means migration. Which it appears plays a fundamental role in our economic prospects as workers.
This is a great read and thought provoking article that explores demographics and economics and the significant role they play in innovation, our careers and our incomes. You may want to consider moving after reading it!
This article is excerpted from Florida’s recent book Who’s Your City? How the Creative Economy Is Making Where You Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life.
