Meyerside Chats: Government, Policy & Civility
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.
Cities are an essential part of our identity. Depending on where we live, we develop different attitudes, personalities, perspectives, and ways of living. But is the average citizen aware of how their cities actually operate? Likely not. Conflicts between landlords and tenants are common. Many people lack knowledge of the ordinances their leaders enact. For those residents and communities that lack communication, the gap will worsen if left unaddressed.
There are deep-seated issues in many cities that prevent them from progressing. People tend to look at national-level issues rather than concentrating on issues in their own localities, and they are not aware of these severe problems. It is only as they become immersed in the country's biggest issues (which are outside of their control) that they realize what they want. But a knee-jerk response of fury or blame is useless without productive action.
What can be done to correct issues like poor compost, unfair ordinances, or substandard infrastructure? The key is to shift the focus to the local level, get involved, and become part of the solution. Identifying what you can do to contribute begins with listening and trying new ideas. We must establish deeper relationships with each other to achieve more practical solutions.
To find out how, host Evan leads eye-opening conversations about civic and community leadership that highlight how to stand up and make cities better. Addressing the "Us and Them" mentality, he brings people together to see eye to eye and provide their unique viewpoints.
This show aims to humanize politics, break the toxic bureaucracy, and reconnect residents with their city leaders. Evan explores the muddied relationships with politicians. With their grand buildings and great powers, these individuals usually appear distant and untouchable. But they are not infallible. It is possible to start authentic conversations that eventually lead to sustainable and inclusive communities.
Long-time community leader Evan Meyer invites you to focus on this alarming state of living through his podcast, Meyerside Chats. On this show, you'll hear real talks about rebuilding trust between people, leaders, and our government.
Evan brings vast experience to the podcast as a civic guru and community leader. For many years, he has been heavily involved in the development of Santa Monica using highly innovative approaches. He created the city's Civic Love program, a group focused on volunteerism and making change through the process of "doing good." He also served his neighborhood association for a decade, eventually as president.
In addition to outstanding community involvement, Evan founded several start-up businesses. He actively works to transform neglected communities globally through murals, art education, and social responsibility. The efforts of Evan are a perfect example of what citizens can do to make their city a better place to live, work and thrive.
Meyerside Chats: Government, Policy & Civility
Technology, Informed Decision-Making & Bridging Politics | Dean of Public Policy & Information Systems, Carnegie Melon, Ramayya Krishnan
In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer interviews Rammayya Krishnan, Dean of Public Policy and Information Systems @ Carnegie Melon University, an expert in digital transformation and technology management. They discuss the role of decision-making models in voting, particularly in local and state issues. Krishnan highlights the importance of an informed populace and the challenges of acquiring accurate information in the age of filter bubbles and misinformation. They also touch on the need for humility in the information we consume and how technology can support this. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of having a shared base of information to make informed decisions. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on Meyerside Chats!
Podcast Highlights:
[00:01:41] Exploring the use of cloud technology in society and policy-making.
[00:02:11] Discussing decision-making models in voting for the public and policymakers.
[00:12:16] The influence of technology on shared experiences and bridging differences.
[00:14:01] Building relationships and bridges between different political opinions.
[00:16:00] The role of being a good listener and demonstrating respect in conversations.
[00:24:47] Contrasting the lack of understanding of social media by policymakers in the past.
[00:25:25] The potential of AI to educate and provide faster access to information for policymakers and the public.
[00:27:00] AI's role in helping understand complex public interest issues.
[00:29:48] Mitigating AI's negative effects through measures like provenance and watermarking.
[00:33:00] The absence of a perfect solution to the information problem.
[00:33:33] Cautions about AI's predictive capabilities and data representation.
[00:35:37] The potential benefits of AI in supporting decision-making and speeding up processes.
[00:37:00] Overcoming bias in data to ensure representation of society as a whole.
[00:39:48] Responsible AI implementation, understanding the system as a whole, and differential impact on individuals.
[00:40:23] Augmentation for democracy and the need for careful consideration of the pipeline.
[00:41:00] Assisting policymakers with AI tools to catch up with policy-making demands.
[00:43:35] Vision for a more prosperous, peaceful, and just society using technology for good.
About Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.