Clearly, four of these sectors inter-relate organically. Design, culture, art and entertainment all share obvious similarities.

But technology and the green economy? How do these relate? 

First, bear in mind that this doesn't have to make sense. (Only fiction has to make sense.) Things are what things are. But there's are less obvious but crucial connections that link in these two crucial sectors. 

Entertainment and technology go together like the MP3 and the iPod. And you can ask any record company executive (if any still exist) about the profound affect that technology has had on that industry. (For me, it goes back to the mid-80s and the advent of affordable, high-quality multi-track recorders that worked with standard cassette tape. But that's another story for another time.) Also, geeks loooooove food, especially strange flavors from far away lands. In my mind, cuisine sits at the intersection of art and culture. It is a known fact that the quality of the cuisine is a key factor in attracting both creatives AND entrepreneurs. 

As for the green economy, everybody - or at least everybody I know - wants to do everything they can to move Rhode Island into a leadership position in sustainability. So artists create environmentally-theme works and designers make great-looking stuff for non-profits and entertainers perform at benefits, etc., etc.

When I look at this graphic, I see the future of our economy. Not the whole thing, but a measurable portion. If you believe in the mythos of the "cultural creative", then you must recognize the power of the Super-Cluster. 

ShareTweet