For the first time ever, the United States is truly in danger of losing its most crucial economic advantage -- its status as the world's greatest talent magnet -- argues best-selling author and economist Richard Florida. Where America was once the first destination for foreign students and the last stop for scientists, engineers, musicians, and entrepreneurs wishing to engage in the most robust and creative economy on the planet, it has now become only one place among many where cutting-edge innovation occurs.</p>

Burgeoning global technology hotspots. The outsourcing of ingenuity. Rising intolerance. A faltering education system. Cities torn by inequality. Disconnected political leadership. According to Florida, they all point to the looming creativity crisis that is causing the decline of American economic might.</p>

In the groundbreaking The Rise of the Creative Class, Florida introduced the United States to the rules of engagement in the creative age. Florida's 3 Ts of economic development -- Technology, Talent, and Tolerance -- took him around the world and back again, sparking an international debate over the causes and effects of long-term prosperity, development, and innovation.</p>

The Flight of the Creative Class takes Florida's arguments to the next level, explaining how the same conditions that affect regional economic development, talent exchange, and the unleashing of human creativity play out on the world stage.</p>

He sees cause for concern for the United States -- a country long accustomed to its comfortable position at the helm of the global economy -- and pockets of potential opening up from Sydney, Shanghai, and Amsterdam to Dublin, Bangalore, and Toronto.</p>

But the United States still boasts one of the most diverse and creative citizenries in the world, and Florida points out that if it can discover solutions to address rising inequality, the global dissemination of talent, and the inherent tensions of the creative age, it will once again lead the pack. If only the rest of the world doesn't discover those solutions first ...</p>

理查德·弗羅裏達

喬治梅森大學（George Mason University）公關政策學院的教授，布魯金斯研究院的非常駐資深研究員，加人喬治梅森大學前，為卡內基梅隆大學海茲公關政策和管理學院（Heinz Sehool of Public Policy and Management）區域經濟發展教授，現居華盛頓。他是暢銷書《創意階層的崛起》的作者，該書曾獲《華盛頓月刊》（Washington Monthty）授予的政治圖書奬（Political Book Award），並為《哈佛商業評論》（Haruard Bus-iness Reuiew）評為最具突破性的10個觀念之一。