Centers of Creativity

One of the characteristics of successful cities is that they are usually centers of creativity. They attract ingenious and diverse people who love to create masterpieces, to re-envision life and society for greater good, and to thrive economically at the forefront of technology. Urban Studies Prof. Richard Florida says that creativity is now the main driving force in the developement of cities, regions, and even nations. (Check out his recent book Cities and the Creative Class).
It's not that this is a new development either. Cities have throughout history been creative centers. Consider ancient Babylon with its hanging gardens. Remember the amazing intellect and artistry in the Greek cities. The Romans continued the classical legacy in one of the greatest urban empires in history. In our day Paris, London, San Francisco, and Tokyo are among the great creative centers.
Jane Jacobs saw it in the 60's. She said, "big cities are natural generators of diversity and prolific incubators of new enterprises and ideas of all kinds." He book "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" was written 43 years ago!
Yesterday I watched the Will Smith movie I, Robot with my wife Marcia and son David. Afterward, as we sat at the kitchen table interpreting the movie we were encouraged by the robot Sonny and his unwavering belief that he was created for a reason. He knew he had a mission to accomplish. He knew that he was unique and not just a number, a machine. His creator, whom he called his "father", made Sonny for a purpose and Sonny's quest was to discover it and live it out. That belief led Sonny to have confidence and to live differently than other robots. He became emotional and attached and creative. I said to David, "Son, every person you'll ever meet is unique and creative. We are all magical in that sense."
There is a bit of divine inspiration in each of us. And it certainly shows in our creative ingenuity. Cities are magnets of human creativity!