Aure Schrock on Politics Recoded: The Infrastructural Organizing of Code for America
Feb 24, 2025
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Aure Schrock, an interdisciplinary technology scholar and editor at The Indelible Voice, dives into the evolution of Code for America in their insightful conversation. They discuss how civic hacking has transformed from a tech-forward ideology to modern digital consulting for governments. Schrock highlights the importance of a critical approach to technology in politics and shares experiences from coaching academics in refining their writing. The dialogue also explores community engagement through initiatives that support marginalized voices and tackle urban challenges.
Aure Schrock critiques the misapplication of the term 'critical' in academia, arguing it hampers genuine reflection and inquiry in social sciences.
The concept of infrastructural organizing promotes local, collaborative actions that empower individuals to address community challenges traditionally managed by government.
Code for America has evolved from a tech-focused initiative to a user-centered organization, emphasizing empirical outcomes and social justice in civic technology.
Deep dives
Abuse of the Term 'Critical'
The podcast discusses how the term 'critical' has been misused in the humanities and social sciences, losing its original meaning and intent. Critical philosophy, rooted in the works of Immanuel Kant and later adopted by the Frankfurt School, emphasizes the necessity of reflexively examining common assumptions in society to reveal their constructs. This misuse results in a standardized way of thinking that diminishes the genuine critical reflection needed for learning. The discussion critiques superficial criticisms of technology and corporate dynamics, highlighting the need for deeper inquiry and understanding in academic discourse.
The Shift in Civic Tech Perspectives
Civic tech refers to using digital innovations to enhance government operations and services, an area explored in depth by the guest of the episode, R. Schrock. Schrock eschews a cynical approach to civic tech, opting for a more inquisitive stance that seeks to understand the intentions and actions of organizations like Code for America. According to Schrock, this interpretive approach contrasts with the critical stance often taken in academic circles, where many dismiss civic tech outright without adequate exploration of its impacts. This perspective encourages a richer investigation of how technology can positively engage citizens and improve governance.
Understanding Infrastructural Organizing
Schrock introduces the concept of infrastructural organizing, which refers to collective actions directed towards infrastructure, focusing on connections and collaboration among individuals at local levels. This approach is positioned against traditional top-down organization models, promoting the idea that individuals can become agents of change through adaptable communication and networks. Infrastructural organizing enables local actors to tackle challenges that typically fall under governmental responsibilities, blurring the lines between public and civic engagement. Schrock argues that successful civic technology movements must prioritize these collaborative and community-driven efforts for meaningful impact.
The Evolution of Code for America
The discussion covers the evolution of Code for America, highlighting its initial vision of integrating technology into governance and its shift towards more practical, user-centered approaches. Code for America’s early efforts, primarily based on web 2.0 ideas, faced challenges in gaining traction and effectively serving citizen needs. However, as the organization matured, it adopted designs focused on empirical outcomes and community needs, evidenced by projects aimed at improving food assistance programs and expanding equitable access. Schrock emphasizes that this transformation illustrates a shift toward a nuanced understanding of civic tech, ultimately aligning with broader social justice goals.
Navigating the Politics of Technology
The podcast explores how the political landscape shapes the implementation of technology within government frameworks, outlining a distinction between simplistic Silicon Valley ideals and the complexities of real-world governance. This political backdrop constrains how civic tech initiatives like Code for America execute their strategies, necessitating a focus on localized, actionable projects that can flourish within existing bureaucratic structures. Discussions also highlight the tension between idealistic visions and the pragmatic realities of implementing technology for public good, emphasizing that effective civic tech requires a balancing act of innovation and political sensibility. Schrock's insights offer a critique of prevailing narratives around tech, positing that genuine engagement and effectiveness depend on understanding the intricacies of the sociopolitical context.
Politics Recoded examines the history and culture of Code for America, an organization that, as one of its leaders put it, aimed “to promote ‘civic hacking,’ and to bring 21st century technology to government.” The book describes how the organization has changed over time from a “tech-forward” vision rooted in techno-libertarianism to an organization that provides something like digital consulting services to governments. The pair also talk about Aure’s writing and editing company, the Indelible Voice, and what it’s like helping scholars refine their vision and voice in academic writing.