Oppenness + Tolerance = Creativity

People who want to take a swing at San Francisco [using it as a right-wing code phrase for "gay"] should think twice. Yes, the Irish coffee at Fisherman's Wharf is overpriced, and the bus tour of Haight-Ashbury is disappointing (where are the hippies?), but the Bay Area is the cradle of the computer and software industry, which continues to create jobs for our children.

The iPod was not developed by Baptists in Waco. There may be a reason for this. Creative people thrive in a climate of openness and tolerance, since some great ideas start out sounding ridiculous.

Creativity is a key to economic progress. Authoritarianism is stifling. I don't believe that Mr. Hewlett and Mr. Packard were gay, but what's important is: In San Francisco, it doesn't matter so much. When the cultural Sturmbannfuhrers try to marshal everyone into straight lines, it has consequences for the economic future of this country.

Garrison Keillor, "With ineptitude on full display, the party's over for Republicans", Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2006.

Posted on June 9, 2006 at 15.54 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Common-Place Book

One Response

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  1. Written by S.W. Anderson
    on Saturday, 10 June 2006 at 01.22
    Permalink

    That's an excellent point and so very true.

    But as for S.F. being known for gay folk, there's no need to be defensive. People subjected to hostility, discrimination or just a cold shoulder too often, do tend to locate together for added safety and comfort.

    No suprise there. My recollection of very early American history tells me the settlers weren't embedded with native tribes for diversity's sake. And out on the Western prairies, they clustered together within forts, with cannons and rifles at the ready to keep the locals at bay.

    One other thing about S.F. The cost of living, of a place to live, is so high, it's a safe bet most people living well there have a lot on the ball.

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