[arcanus]

> It has been interesting to watch, and certainly could > parallel what could happen in the bay area if an exodus to > somewhere like Austin began in earnest.

Tech Austinite here -- given the rate prices of food, housing, etc. are spiking here, I'm presently more inclined to see ATX as catching up to SF prices and acting as an SXSF than remaining a low-cost alternative.

Don't generally disagree with your thesis, but at least for tech I don't think the game is zero sum, and the market is expanding fast enough to support multiple tech hubs.

[Encosia]

Definitely. Austin was just the first example that came to mind, but I think you're right that spreading out to several regional hubs is also likely (and preferable, IMO).