Misha chats with Canadian journalist and author, John Lorinc about the evolving concept of smart cities. He highlights how the continual urbanization of the world, with technology being central to this transformation, has led to this concept gaining relevance. His book, 'Dream State: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias', which won the 2022 Writer's Trust Balsillie Prize, explores this technology revolution in cities. The interview covers his journey as a mathematician and journalist and touches upon key topics such as sensors, smart city technology, and surveillance in public spaces. Lorinc discusses examples of smart city mega-projects that are underway in various parts of the globe and shares his perspective on the pros and cons of smart cities. He also emphasizes the need for active public engagement in shaping city landscapes, safeguarding privacy and human rights in an era of technological advancements. Towards the end, he illustrates the positive potential of smart city tech, such as smart grids contributing to green electricity transformations.

00:00 Introduction to Urbanization and Smart Cities

00:32 Meet the Expert: John Lorinc

01:48 The Journey from Math to Urban Affairs

04:18 The Importance of Cities in the 21st Century

07:11 The Role of Technology in Urbanization

09:36 Understanding Smart Cities and Their Impact

16:58 The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Smart Cities

20:15 Privacy and Surveillance Concerns in Smart Cities

24:06 The Impact of Technology on Privacy

24:36 The Role of Legislators and Regulators in Technology

25:15 The Gap Between Technology and Government

25:22 The Inadequacy of Government Understanding of Technology

26:18 The Responsibility of Citizens in a Technological Society

26:30 The Surveillance Mechanism of Technology

27:05 The State of Privacy Legislation in Different Regions

28:23 Examples of Government Engagement with Technology

31:25 The Impact of Surveillance on Individual Privacy

31:50 The Manipulation of Personal Data and Image

32:21 The Erosion of Trust in Urban Spaces

33:18 The Concept of Smart City Mega Projects

37:04 The Future of Smart Cities

42:28 The Importance of Public Engagement in Smart Cities

48:07 The Role of Technology in Energy Systems

49:58 Conclusion: The Balance Between Positive and Negative Impacts of Technology

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Connect with John Lorinc:

Twitter: John Lorinc (@JohnLorinc) / X (twitter.com)

Books: John Lorinc | Coach House Books (chbooks.com)

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Misha da Vinci is a futurologist, tech thinker, and writer.

Connect with Misha:

Newsletter: https://mishadavinci.substack.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mishadavinci

Website: https://www.mishadavinci.com/

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