MY CITY IS MORE CREATIVE THAN YOUR CITY
What is the most creative city today? Fast Company did a survey of its Most Creative People list to help us find the answer (“Most Creative People” February 2014, pp. 47–51). The results are interesting.
Granted, judging whole cities for creativity by a large group of creatives is somewhat subjective, volatile, and complicated. Nonetheless, I cannot think of a more appropriate group to make that call than Fast Company ’s Most Creative People list (p. 50). Regardless of whether you agree or disagree, it is quite worthy of our attention. Here are the results of the survey for the most creative city today:
1—New York City (34%).
2—San Francisco (27%).
3—London (6%).
4—Austin (5%); Berlin (5%); Tel Aviv (5%).
5—Bangalore (2%); Beijing (2%).
6—Boston (1%); Paris (1%).
Once again the Big Apple stands it ground taking first place. San Francisco sure did come in as a strong runner-up though. Of the respondents who are based in New York City, 57% voted for New York City but of course that still means 43% voted for a different city.
It is interesting that after the top two, even though the percentages quickly drop to single digits, London took third place at 6%. Few would argue it has not earned its place on the map in so many ways. I like the diverse tie at 5% for Austin, Berlin, and Tel Aviv. Boston and Paris can each at least claim a mention, which is still significant on this list.
Creativity can be found in so many different places. My hunch is as great as these cities are, wherever you are whenever you are at your best creative self, that is the best place for you.
