Mapping the Blogosphere and the Creative Class

Via Pasta and Vinigar, a correlation between Richard Florida’s list of centers of the creative class and blogs.

In fact, the top 10 cities with the most bloggers included the top 8 from Florida’s list of centers of the creative class.
My theory: cities with the richest local online culture (measured in number of blogs, and use of a select group of other geographically-bound websites) will reflect those cities with the highest numbers of creative class people. In short, the cities with the most blogs will be the most economically successful in the future.

San Francisco to expand free WiFi

An initiative by a polititician in San Francisco to make the Internet free to people. Now in Northern California, in a few years in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

“We will not stop until every San Franciscan has access to free wireless Internet service”

Changing Patterns of Creative Work

Changing Patterns of Creative Work is the kind of “fast-food” reading I like (very much like the Totem Books “Introducing…”). Very originally structured. In this research notes about the Changing Patterns of Creative Work, the authors reports about the changing features characteristic of the creative class. 8 patterns are covered. In italic, the features in can related to.

Time
For this growing body of creative workers, their model of time resembles an integrated helix of work, life and play. There is no sense when creative workers turn on or off. A blend occurs across all their activities, and it is intention, not hour or location, that determines each creator’s chosen activity. Since they follow the flow of an idea, it is almost impossible to segment creative work.

Place
Creative workers, the office has lost its meaning. Access to mobile tools has removed the need to be tied to a location. Creative workers can think and create anywhere, anytime, since they move seamlessly between time, place and activity. They tend not to be defined by the place that they are in because they make time and space support their flow. They go where their ideas need to be or need to be found. Creative workers may use the office to catch up with colleagues or to coordinate large meetings, but most would rather meet in a location that brings the energy, social atmosphere and “tools” (a drink, a comfy couch, a breeze) that a collaborative event really demands (I wish I had that liberty!).

Technology
The office is in the creative workers’ pockets and on their backs.

Age
Creative workers are not defined by age

People
While creative workers are cosmopolitan, that does not mean they live only in cities – they exemplify itinerant. Creative workers move as they will. Whether it is a weekend somewhere else to draw inspiration,
another place that is hosting a small gathering of creatives, or a week away every year to read and review everything important, creative workers cannot be found by looking at location.

Economics
There is growing recognition that “the relatively well educated and relatively creative are disproportionately important” to economic growth. Creative workers face the metric challenge every day. “Solving the problems of knowledge worker productivity and performance is a daunting prospect.

Marketing
Demographics cannot find creative workers.

Community
Now, more regions are recruiting individuals, not necessarily businesses. Regions are being challenged to attract the people who then will attract companies. The bottom line is that city leaders and politicians must create a people climate, as well as business climate. Creative workers are easily able to migrate. While some may be sentimental about certain places, most are eager to find an energizing and supportive place for their passions.

Reallocating Time and Money into Inconspicuous Goods

Via Wired, from Deadalus, volume 133, issue 2:

“Evidence suggests that if we use an increase in our incomes, as many of us do, simply to buy bigger houses and more expensive cars, then we do not end up any happier than before. But if we use an increase in our incomes to buy more of certain inconspicuous goods – such as freedom from a long commute or a stressful job – then the evidence paints a very different picture… Reallocating our time and money in these and similar ways would result in healthier, longer – and happier – lives.“

The State of the World’s Cities: 2004/2005

Via the Scout Report: The United Nations Human Settlements Programme published the first State of the World Cities report in 2001, and just recently released this updated version, The State of the World’s Cities: 2004/2005, which offers insight and critical analysis of the state of the world’s major urban areas and how they are changing, both for good and for ill. The various sections include such provocative topics as “Ticking Time-Bombs: Low-income settlements”, “Africa’s Secret Modernist City”, and “Crimes of the Child”.

UN's Human Development Index

Via Fakir, an index based on per capita income, educational levels, healthcare and life expectancy called Human Development Index is computed by the UN. It ranks Norway, Sweden, Australia and Canada as the best places to live in. The US top at the 8th position, Switzerland 11th, and Spain 20th. A report by The Business Time reports Norway is the best place to live, says UN report.

Mercer Cost-of-Living 2004

Mercer Cost-of-Living 2004 survey is out. Zürich and Geneva getting more expensive but with a steady ranking in the top 10.

Going Out of Our Way to Find the Right People

The trend is really at companies going to where creative people are and gather.

As read in the new Google Blog:

“When we announced the opening of our engineering office in Zurich, a lot of Europeans seemed pleased about the possibility of working for Google without a commute to California. Zurich draws Italians, French, Swiss, Germans, and other Europeans, and is easier to reach from most parts of the continent than the Amphitheatre Parkway exit off highway 101.”

“Google benefits from a diversity of languages.”

New Economy Depression Syndrome

Tim Sanders, Yahoo’s Chief Solutions Officer introduced the acronyme NEDS for New Economy Depression Syndrome. NEDS is a mental state that a result of a combination of information overload and frequent interruption resulting in and erosion of personal close relationships. The symptoms are anxiety, fatigue, stress and lower productivity and irritability in a team environment.

Shrinking Switzerland

Jamais le projet Rail2000 n’aura porté aussi bien son nom. Le projet d’horraire 2005 va réduire les distances en temps et augmenter les cadences entre les centres urbrains. L’OFT utilise le web pour mettre en consultation le projet d’horraire. Les réponses seront transmises aux services cantonaux compétents qui examineront les possibilités d’intégrer les propositions du public et des milieux concernés.

Il serait intéressant de voir evoluer la carte de la Suisse des distances en temps après la mise en place de l’horraire.