Back in grad school I was one of Richard Florida’s students as he was discovering the connections and correlations between various metrics of diversity and economic productivity. His conclusion was diversity and social tolerance has a consistent measurable and predictable positive economic effect. In other words, diversity pays.

He goes on to point out how it is exactly this openness to diversity that has driven the US to be the world’s largest economy.

Unfortunately American public policy has started to close and damn up the flow of creative talent into the country. This, Florida says, is potentially very dangerous because it threatens the very engine of US economic prosperity. Anyway, lots of good stuff here about how cultures cultivate talent and innovation.

watch: