Jennifer Pahlka: Coding a better government

Summary

In a thought-provoking talk, the speaker discusses the Code for America program, which engages tech and design fellows to improve government through innovative apps. Highlighting the story of 'Al,' a fire hydrant adopted via a playful app, the speaker emphasizes how technology can foster collective action and enhance civic engagement. They challenge the notion that government is merely a bureaucratic obstacle, advocating for a shift in perspective toward collaborative citizenship. By empowering citizens to actively participate in their communities, the talk underscores the importance of reshaping government to reflect the needs of the people, ultimately advocating for a more effective and engaged society.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Code for America program encourages tech and design professionals to work in government to improve civic services.
• 💡 Fellows create innovative apps that enhance citizen engagement and address local issues, like the 'Adopt a Fire Hydrant' app in Boston.
• ❄️ The app promotes community participation by allowing citizens to shovel out fire hydrants during snowstorms.
• 🚀 Successful projects can spread virally between cities, showing a new model for government innovation that is efficient and cost-effective.
• 📞 Citizens Connect app exemplifies crowd-sourcing, allowing neighbors to assist each other in resolving local issues, like animal control.
• 🏛️ Government should not be viewed solely through a political lens; it is fundamentally about collective action and services for citizens.
• 💔 Many people have given up on government due to frustrations, but technology is enabling a transformation of government functions.
• 🌐 Young professionals are leveraging digital tools to make government more effective, fostering a culture of active citizenship.
• 🤝 Real change requires engagement with bureaucracies, not just political action; it is essential to make the processes of government more appealing.
• 🤔 The future of governance relies on active citizenship, where citizens participate not just as consumers of services but as contributors to their communities.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the Code for America program?

The main goal of Code for America is to engage tech and design professionals to work in government settings, demonstrating how technology can improve civic engagement and government services.

How does the app developed for fire hydrants operate?

The app allows citizens to 'adopt' fire hydrants, committing to shovel them out when it snows. If they fail to do so, others can adopt the hydrant, incorporating gamification elements.

What impact has the fire hydrant app had on other cities?

The fire hydrant app has inspired several other cities, including Honolulu and Seattle, to create similar programs that encourage citizens to maintain important civic infrastructure.

Why does the speaker emphasize the difference between government and politics?

The speaker emphasizes that while politics can often feel disconnected from citizen needs, government is a practical system that can be improved to better serve the community. Engagement with bureaucracy is crucial for effective governance.

What does the speaker mean by saying government should act like 'the Internet'?

The speaker suggests that government should be permissionless, open, and generative, allowing for more direct and innovative civic participation, much like how the Internet operates.

How does the speaker view the role of technology in improving government functions?

Technology is viewed as a transformative tool that can enhance collective action and enable citizens to contribute actively to governance, improving overall effectiveness.

What example does the speaker provide to illustrate citizen engagement in government?

The example of an opossum stuck in a trashcan shows how citizens can help each other solve problems, demonstrating the potential for community engagement facilitated by digital platforms like Citizens Connect.

What challenges does the speaker identify regarding public perception of government?

The speaker identifies a widespread disillusionment with government, suggesting that many people view it negatively and have given up on it, despite the potential for positive change through engagement.

What does the speaker mean by 'making bureaucracy sexy'?

The speaker argues that engaging with and understanding the bureaucratic processes of government is essential for effective change, and that there needs to be a cultural shift to view this engagement as valuable.

How does the speaker propose to redefine citizenship in the context of government?

The speaker proposes that citizenship should involve active participation and contribution rather than passive consumption of government services, emphasizing that fixing government requires fixing the concept of citizenship itself.