Knowledge workers drive prosperity, but you've got to give them reasons to come to you

David Brooks unwittingly reaffirms Richard Florida's theory that economic development is drive by attracting smart people:

The region you live in also makes a gigantic difference in how you will live. There are certain high-trust regions where highly educated people congregate, producing positive feedback loops of good culture and good human capital programs. This mostly happens in the northeastern states like New Jersey and Connecticut. There are other regions with low social trust, low education levels and negative feedback loops. This mostly happens in southern states like Arkansas and West Virginia.

And South Carolina.