Mapping Talent
Fast Company featured Richard Florida and his work mapping talent, social networks, and social capital more than a year ago. He's gaining new attention today because of the imminent publication of his new book, "The Rise of the Creative Class," and a recent special report issued by the Austin American-Statesman. The report positions Austin, one of my favorite places, as one of the new capitals of creativity -- what folks have dubbed "cities of ideas."

Citing Robert Putnam, arguably the father of social capitalism, the report serves up a veritable recipe for building -- or at least recognizing -- a city of ideas:

More interested in other cultures, places

More likely to "try anything once"

More likely to engage in individualistic activities

More optimistic

Higher interest in politics

More artists, musicians, writers

Wages 30 percent higher

Volunteering increasing, but less than in Old Economy cities

Church attendance decreasing

Community projects decreasing more

Club membership decreasing more

Population growth 64 percent higher

And for you locals, don't worry: Boston made the list. So it's Boston and Austin this time around.

Humor decoder: That last line is a vague reference to an old singer-songwriter compilation CD that -- in title, at least -- positioned the two city's folk music scenes as sparring partners. It's not true. And it's not that funny a joke to quip on something so obscure and unrelated. But explaining bad jokes makes them better. At least in Austin. Or so I've heard.