L.A. ranks 31st on smart (and dumb) cities list

Boston lands first in the Daily Beast list, followed by Hartford, Conn., SF, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Denver. Rankings were based on educational levels (including how many residents with bachelor's and graduate degrees), and intellectual culture (nonfiction book sales, libraries per capita, etc.). L.A.'s 31st position, which compares with 27th a year ago, places it closer to the dumb section. But hey, it could have been worse: Number 55, and last, is Vegas.