"A thousand years before—-in 800, say—-the technological and civilizational cutting edges of humanity were to be found in the Caliph Haroun al-Rashid’s capital of Baghdad and the Tang Dynasty Emperor Dezong’s Chang’an, rather than London or Bristol of Manchester or New York or Washington or Cleveland." (Emphasis mine)
As a North East Ohioan, I was shocked and flattered that we were mentioned, even if ironically. Cleveland rocks, indeed.
Where's the irony? Cleveland in 1900 was a hugely wealthy city with a rapidly growing population and innovative industries, near the forefront of technologies like electric railroading, automobiles, and aviation. It's fallen from prominence, as has Manchester, but it had a good run in its day, not unlike Silicon Valley.
I thought there was a chance the author was being mildly ironic, but don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the Forest City, both in its history and its current iteration of commerce, culture, and identity.
I just thought it was flattering that my favorite city, being less than 250 years old with claim to no world-moving historical events, should occupy the same list as Baghdad, London, New York, and Washington in terms of historical and cultural significance.
As a North East Ohioan, I was shocked and flattered that we were mentioned, even if ironically. Cleveland rocks, indeed.
Edit: formatting.