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Why not build apps to build institutions? Politics is quite complex and full of its own jargon. It is not simple to understand. Why not to develop apps, which

Why not build apps to build institutions? Politics is quite complex and full of its own jargon. It is not simple to understand. Why not to develop apps, which will streamline a complex political process? Take zoning for example. There are new construction hearings, which only few NIMBYists attend, while pro-builders do not even know where to search for those. Say I'm a pro-builder busy with my own career. I have many questions. Where are those hearings held? Can I attend them, or there are some requirements? How do I meet those requirements? Is there any voting taking place? Where is it actually decided whether to build or not? What is the next action I can take given I am an average city dweller able to dedicate few hours per month for politics? If there is an app that would bring the tasks down to small actionable points with descriptions, and offer simplest step by step instructions, I may find it actually fun to do.

daguar 6y ago
There are a lot of people who have built this app — but they're concierging! (aka... not an app) The reason is that the work you're describing (which is effectively organizing) doesn't have the unit economics of tech automation. All of this info can be created but it's pretty hard for a computer to generate it because of the specifics of every project, across every different city/municipality. Layer on top of that the fact that the biggest bottleneck is the activation energy it requires for people to actually show up, and an app is just less effective. But you know what turns out to work shockingly well? A social aspect to organizing. Have everyone show up to the meeting, and go grab a drink after together to bond and make it so that folks feel good and want to do it again, that they feel a part of it.
kindly_fo 6y ago
Because problem is never on technology, problem is in the organisation or head. Personally I think government and politics are one of the most rotten places, so try to avoid it as much as u can.
gamblor956 6y ago
People already do that on Facebook. It's a much more effective tool than an app would be, especially since it already connects you to your like minded neighbors.

daguar 6y ago

There are a lot of people who have built this app — but they're concierging! (aka... not an app) The reason is that the work you're describing (which is effectively organizing) doesn't have the unit economics of tech automation. All of this info can be created but it's pretty hard for a computer to generate it because of the specifics of every project, across every different city/municipality. Layer on top of that the fact that the biggest bottleneck is the activation energy it requires for people to actually show up, and an app is just less effective. But you know what turns out to work shockingly well? A social aspect to organizing. Have everyone show up to the meeting, and go grab a drink after together to bond and make it so that folks feel good and want to do it again, that they feel a part of it.

kindly_fo 6y ago

Because problem is never on technology, problem is in the organisation or head. Personally I think government and politics are one of the most rotten places, so try to avoid it as much as u can.

gamblor956 6y ago

People already do that on Facebook. It's a much more effective tool than an app would be, especially since it already connects you to your like minded neighbors.