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I was raised in NY, very close to (and worked in) Manhattan. I was very aware it was the Center of Man's Universe -- for the 20th Century, and that its days were to be numbered as that century faded.
And while it still tops anything else in America in terms of 19th and 20th Century "culture" (i.e., art, theater, museums, fashion, blah blah), those things matter less and less as the new millennium progresses. (In fact, one could rightly assert that Hollywood was the prime force of late 20th Century culture ... by virtue of a culture that was not leashed to Hollywood alone.)
I think cultures come and go, empires rise and fall. NYC is still kicking, but I think its apex as the Center of Man's Universe in in the past. Perhaps the apex of California's glory is back there somewhere, too. Heck, even the "perfect" weather may be significantly less so in the coming days of Global Climate Change.
But it will be a long, long time before the glories of nature endemic to the Golden State fade in beauty or allure. It's nice to have some things that are, by man's time standards, permanent.
And if we slip from position of 8th largest economy to 15th, I'd say the only thing wasted was the chance to break away from the yoke of America and really be the world's 8th largest economy (and 4th most progressive country).
Besides, isn't the whole world in the same boat? We'll still retain the 8th largest economy in a world of lousy economies. And while I wish no ill on anyone in particular, I won't regret if about a million people leave California in the next year or so.
Please?
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