open up

While doing some general researching I came across this interesting study

A new kind of economic indicator
By Richard Florida
In 2007 Charlotta Mellander and I examined how various regional factors shape housing prices. We found that two factors combine to shape them. The first is pretty obvious: income. The wealthier the residents, the pricier the housing. The second and much larger factor is reflected by our Bohemian–Gay Index, which combines the concentration of artists, musicians, and designers with the concentration of gays and lesbians in a region. Regardless of which variables we applied, what version of the model we used, or which regions we looked at, the concentration of bohemians and gays consistently had a staggering impact on housing values.
We found that the presence of these populations had direct effects on housing values as well as other locational variables (like income and human capital), making these places more attractive to other populations and demographics. In other words, the presence of these groups not only made housing values rise, it made incomes rise as well.
Why would this be? Our theory is that bohemian and gay populations capitalize on two distinct factors of high-value housing. The first is an aesthetic–amenity premium. Artists and bohemians not only produce amenities but are attracted to places that have them. As selective buyers with eyes for amenity, authenticity, and aesthetics, they tend to concentrate in places where these things abound. The second is a tolerance or open-culture premium. Regions with large bohemian and gay populations possess low cultural barriers to entry, allowing them to attract talent and human capital across racial, ethnic, and other lines. Artistic and gay populations also cluster in communities that value open-mindedness and self-expression.
And their status as historically marginalized groups means that artistic and gay populations tend to be highly self-reliant and receptive to newcomers. They’ve had to build networks from scratch, mobilize resources independently, and create their own organizations and companies.
For all of these reasons, regions where artists and gays have migrated and settled are more likely than others to place high premiums on innovation, entrepreneurship, and new-company formation. It’s not that gays and bohemians drive up housing simply by paying more; their effect on housing prices is far less direct. Bohemian and gay residents drive up housing value because they make areas that were already ripe for growth even more desirable, and to a greater number of people.

This sidebar is excerpted from Florida’s recent book Who’s Your City? How the Creative Economy Is Making Where You Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life.
Source http://whatmatters.mckinseydigital.com/innovation/a-new-kind-of-economic-indicator

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They are right. Open cultures and communities would always do better than closed ones. This would reflect in all sorts of economic indicators. It seems to be empirical proof of the point I have been trying to make. Openness is a must in our mindsets. Even for selfish reasons: Regions with large bohemian and gay populations possess low cultural barriers to entry, allowing them to attract talent and human capital across racial, ethnic, and other lines.
The US was built by a steady stream of enterprising immigrants who fueled its bio-diverse populace and allowed to attract some of the best brains in the business. For rock solid proof we might do well to research the Manhattan Project or even see the mix in the Silicon Valley. Openness begets openness. What you want in life? To be surrounded by narrow minded backward looking bigots that seek to protect the gene pool as if it were nectar or be surrounded by open forward looking people who are able to break conventions, ask why not and challenge not only themselves but those around them. Do you get better by gazing at your navel or by looking and learning from those around you? Open up. Be ready to accept new ideas, cultures, habits, technology and quirks. I am amazed by the response of the world and those around me at times. Why would they so want to hold on to status quo? I think they might be pressured into giving a response and that’s why they might be using the safe route and stonewalling anything new. I normally use the words ‘I don’t know; guess it works for some’. Not all new is good, the same way not all new is bad. It’s better to buy time, research, understand consequences and then have an opinion. Till then it’s better to admit ignorance.
Now that’s ironic. A lot of blog posts of mine are highly opinionated. Take the one before last. I had an opinion on a life décor, of all things a bloody lift! How does that really matter?
The disclaimer is thus. I really don’t have as strong an opinion as might be reflected in the blog. But a exaggerated pot shot at something odd does make for good copy. Forgive me.

freedom to be

It is not often that I feel a sense of euphoria seeing the headlines of a newspaper. Typically I tend to be circumspect or skeptical about the actual impact in our lives. Today was one happy exception. The headlines read “INDIA’S GAY DAY - in a landmark ruling Delhi HC says homosexuality is not a crime”. I actually felt good and very happy. I have always wanted to take part in the queer day parade and openly show my solidarity for the community. After all, why should sexual preference, be held hostage to social norm. To my mind it’s the same bigots who oppose simple things like love marriage and inter caste marriage and the sorts.
When Jasmine and I were going around we were in mortal fear. Fear of getting caught or being found out by her parents or her brother. Her brother is a genuinely sweet guy but at the time he too held orthodox views and would play the role of BIG BROTHER. He was so bloody irritating and obnoxious. He was enemy number one for us at the time. But then life moves on. The guy even once apologized for the grief he caused us. But then that’s another story. Love marriages are still so strongly opposed in India. The cities are getting far better as in I see the reluctance slowly being come over. But beyond these pockets things might are not the same. While chatting up with a fort guide in Bharatpur, we came to section of the fort frequented by couples. This led me ask him on inter-caste marriages. He was clear. Inter caste marriages don’t happen in the town. There is a huge opposition to this resulting in ostracization, beatings and what not. We still haven’t grown up I guess.
But I guess with the pro gay ruling coming in our bigots will be forced to accept more such openness and will help in modifying their attitudes. Now I want to see parents opposing inter caste relationship between gay couples. That should be something.

Further links
http://girishshahane.blogspot.com/2009/07/gay-rights-and-religion.html
http://devdutt.com/did-homosexuality-exist-in-ancient-india