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> Nobody in their right mind would even consider this. I am. I figure, either you can be part of the problem, or part of the solution. It's so easy to just si

> Nobody in their right mind would even consider this. I am. I figure, either you can be part of the problem, or part of the solution. It's so easy to just sit back and complain about the way things are all the time, but it's much more interesting to actually try to change them. 'Sides, it would be a good introduction to dealing with municipal governments, and that could be useful.

mmt 16y ago
I figure, either you can be part of the problem, or part of the solution. False dichotomy. It's so easy to just sit back and complain about the way things are all the time, but it's much more interesting to actually try to change them. It may be more interesting to try, but it may not be any more productive. More specifically, the most significant problems I might sit back and complain about are ones that can't be solved with software[1], let alone custom software. The notion of targetting municipal government is suspect to me, as it reeks of the enterprise software model. I may be misinterpretting what they're trying to do, but, if not, it will be threatened by the same dangers, which means that 7 months isn't nearly enough. [1] ..or any technology by itself. I occasionally complain that programmers have a tendency to believe that all (technical) problems can be solved in software, but this goes well beyond that.
- thaumaturgy 16y ago
  Again, the point isn't to attempt to solve a non-software problem using software, it's to get a guided introduction to dealing with municipal governments.
  - mmt 16y ago
    I guess I missed where that point is outlined, though I admit to not reading all the backstory. The title of the project obviously can't be taken literally, but I expect I'm not the only technical person who would expect the point has something to do with code.
aaronbrethorst 16y ago
I am too. I've been subscribed to CfA's Atom feed since I first heard about the program, and was excited enough about it to submit it along to HN once I saw it had launched earlier today. The $35k stipend definitely makes me pause, but I'm going to give the application my all and then ask some hard questions of the review board if I'm lucky enough to be accepted. I doubt I'd apply if my city wasn't included, but Seattle was accepted, and I'd love to make a positive impact on my municipal government.

mmt 16y ago

I figure, either you can be part of the problem, or part of the solution. False dichotomy. It's so easy to just sit back and complain about the way things are all the time, but it's much more interesting to actually try to change them. It may be more interesting to try, but it may not be any more productive. More specifically, the most significant problems I might sit back and complain about are ones that can't be solved with software[1], let alone custom software. The notion of targetting municipal government is suspect to me, as it reeks of the enterprise software model. I may be misinterpretting what they're trying to do, but, if not, it will be threatened by the same dangers, which means that 7 months isn't nearly enough. [1] ..or any technology by itself. I occasionally complain that programmers have a tendency to believe that all (technical) problems can be solved in software, but this goes well beyond that.

thaumaturgy 16y ago
Again, the point isn't to attempt to solve a non-software problem using software, it's to get a guided introduction to dealing with municipal governments.
- mmt 16y ago
  I guess I missed where that point is outlined, though I admit to not reading all the backstory. The title of the project obviously can't be taken literally, but I expect I'm not the only technical person who would expect the point has something to do with code.

aaronbrethorst 16y ago

I am too. I've been subscribed to CfA's Atom feed since I first heard about the program, and was excited enough about it to submit it along to HN once I saw it had launched earlier today. The $35k stipend definitely makes me pause, but I'm going to give the application my all and then ask some hard questions of the review board if I'm lucky enough to be accepted. I doubt I'd apply if my city wasn't included, but Seattle was accepted, and I'd love to make a positive impact on my municipal government.