Do Silicon Valley and Ancient Greece Share A Secret Recipe for Innovation?

Creativity and ingenuity aren't spread evenly. Throughout history, certain locations have become hubs for artistic, business, and technological innovation, for reasons that aren't always readily apparent. Why Silicon Valley right now? Why Florence during the Renaissance?

In search of answers, acclaimed travel writer and former NPR correspondent Eric Weiner traveled the world to investigate the relationship between society's innovative ideas and their surroundings. The result is his new book, The Geography of Genius:A Search for the World's Most Creative Places, from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley.

Join Future Tense for a conversation between Eric Weiner and Dayo Olopade on why certain places at certain times become the capitals of human progress.

Participants:

Eric Weiner
Author, The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World's Most Creative Places, from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley
@Eric_Weiner

Dayo Olopade
Author, The Bright Continent: Breaking Rules and Making Change in Modern Africa
@madayo

Copies of Eric Weiner's The Geography of Genius will be available for purchase. Follow the conversation using #GeoGenius and by following @NewAmericaNYC.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University.