Times 100 Reflects Changes in the State

“The Times 100” (May 7) was extremely interesting, not just as a look at thriving California companies but also as a commentary on the changing geography of California. As Tom Petruno concluded: “Technology drives the world today . . . a fact that The Times 100 list, dominated by California’s leading tech firms, powerfully underscores.” He could have added that a combination of technology and demography are considerably rearranging California’s economic landscape.

For example, 28 out of the top 30 companies on The Times 100 list are headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, including three in San Francisco. Los Angeles, on the other hand, had only one company in the top 30 (with another in Santa Monica) and only five in the entire 100.

Add to this picture some of the image suggested by Joel Kotkin’s article, “L.A.’s Future Is in Its Blue-Collar Roots” (April 28, Opinion Section), and you get a clearer picture still. After noting the considerable effect of sweeping demographic changes in the downtown area of Los Angeles, he noted, “Fortunately, L.A.’s central district . . . retains a strong market-driven economy based on such diverse industries as apparel, textiles and food processing, as well as the warehousing and distribution of toys, jewelry, vegetables, fish and flowers.”

Quite a contrast!

It seems likely that such considerable regional contrasts in economic activity are indicative of California’s future--not just economic but also demographic, social and political.

GARY PETERS

Professor

Geography Department

Cal State Long Beach