Insights that impress Thomas Friedman

"The Arab world has steadily been losing its diversity, “and without diversity there is no tolerance,” says Hassan Fattah, the editor of The National, Abu Dhabi’s best newspaper. And without diversity, new ideas are harder to spark."  What on earth is that supposed to mean? And why is diversity necessary for "ideas to spark"?  I argue that this chatterer is just that.  He can't recognize an idea even if it hit him in the face.