The Cities that Shaped Us with Chelsea Follett of the Cato Institute & HumanProgress.org

Austin Next

What makes a city truly great? In this episode, we dive into the tapestry of cities that have shaped human history with Chelsea Follett, author of 'Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World.' From the invention of writing to the digital revolutions in modern metropolises, we explore the key factors that have allowed cities to become centers of progress, innovation, and enduring impact.

Episode Highlights

• The book looks at 40 cities throughout history that made major contributions to human progress, starting with ancient cities like Jericho that developed agriculture to modern cities like San Francisco that drove the digital revolution.
• Many of the featured centers of progress reached their peak during periods of peace and stability, often characterized by open trade, effective governance, and intellectual freedom.
• Paris' intellectual vibrancy in the Enlightenment and the 1920s and Cambridge's enduring scientific contributions highlight that being a center of progress can be a lasting trait for cities.
• The extraordinary concentration of genius in Athens and Florence led to a cross-pollination of ideas that still resonates today.
• Despite its smaller size, Edinburgh has made outsized contributions to various fields, thanks to its robust educational system and culture of intellectual curiosity.
• What’s next? In March 2024, the Cato Institute plans to release a companion volume titled "Heroes of Progress" about individuals who made significant contributions to progress and changed the world.

Chelsea Follett: LinkedIn, X/Twitter

Cato Institute: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter

HumanProgress.org: Website, Facebook, X/Twitter

Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World

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