Richard Florida’s Rise
of the Creative Class begins with describing two fictitious time travelers:
one who travels from the 1900s to the 1950s and another who travels from the
1950s to the 2000s. The first man will experience a severe change in terms
technology. He will have to deal with cars, phones, and televisions. The second
time-traveler though will have to deal with social change.
This social change is what Florida’s book is about: the rise
of a new class. This class is the Creative Class, a class who defines wealth by
amount of innovative ideas rather than amount of money.
With the description of the changes over the last 50 years,
I can’t help but wonder what life will be like in 50 years, if things keep
heading in the same direction.
My first question is how will relationships change? Florida
records the sentiment felt by many people today: that with the progression of
technology, personal relationships have become impossible to maintain at a
face-to-face level. With facebook, texting, and the Internet, people don’t
actually have to hold conversations in real time or in person. While many view
this as a bad thing, Florida is sure to point out the benefits of such a
society. He explains that many geniuses did not have intimate relationships
with any one. By connecting with others less, people have more time to focus on
coming up with new ideas and theories. However, he is sure to point out that
not having any relationships at all is not the way to go. People are more
productive when working with others. So, I think Florida is presenting the
possibility for a future where people use the speed of technology to share
ideas and creativity, but don’t bother to form any strong ties to the other
people.
Florida also explains the transitions of practical jobs to
more creative jobs, which I find to be very interesting. Originally,
occupations like doctors and mechanics were trained professions where people
would follow the regimented rules of their jobs. Today, doctors come up with
creative ways to treat and diagnose their patients and engineers design how the
parts can be rearranged. Even computer programmers are considered creative. I
think this points to more occupations transitioning to being considered creative
in the future. Even those in the service and working class will begin to find
ways to innovate and change their jobs. Eventually, there might not be a homo economicus, only homo creativus.
The third trend that Florida outlines for the future is the
emphasis on acceptance. 50 years ago, women and African Americans had limited
to no job possibilities. Today, they hold executive positions, including the
President of the United States. This points to a future where the differences
between people won’t even be noticed. Accomplishments will be accomplishments,
regardless of race, gender, or sexuality. There won’t be murmurs of a “glass
ceiling” for women. Obama will be seen as the first of many non-white
presidents. People won’t need to ask if a company supports gay rights to see
how open-minded it is, it will be the assumed normal. The creative class will
rise and make the world a more expressive and accepting place.
