Is San Francisco a Failed State? (And Other Questions You Shouldn’t Ask the Mayor)
Jan 22, 2025
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London Breed, former mayor of San Francisco, dives into the city's ongoing challenges, emphasizing homelessness and crime while sharing personal resilience stories. Koleman Strumpf, an economist, humorously navigates the complexities of illicit markets like sports betting and cannabis, and contrasts traditional polling with prediction markets. Erik Brynjolfsson discusses the potential of AI as a human-centered tool, advocating for technology that enhances rather than replaces human ability. It's a dynamic conversation interweaving urban struggles and economic insights.
Mayor London Breed emphasizes San Francisco's recovery post-COVID, focusing on crime reduction and homelessness support.
The live podcast format fosters spontaneous, engaging discussions that highlight the importance of authentic conversations in today's digital age.
Experts argue for re-evaluating economic metrics to include the value derived from digital goods, introducing the concept of GDPB.
Deep dives
Doublenomics Explained
Doublenomics refers to the unique offer by Discover, which automatically doubles the cash back earned on credit cards at the end of the first year. This means that a cardholder who has earned $150 cash back could see that amount turned into $300, hence highlighting the benefits of using this particular credit card. The promotion aims to attract potential customers by emphasizing the advantage of maximizing rewards through their spending. Such financial incentives can play a significant role in choosing credit card options in today's competitive market.
The Live Show Experience
The episode captures a live show recorded at the Sidney Goldstein Theater in San Francisco, where the host engages with the audience in a more spontaneous format compared to the usual pre-produced episodes. This change of pace allows for a dynamic interaction, where audience members can react and engage with the host and guests in real time. The atmosphere is highlighted as being lively, with a sense of community among attendees. The spontaneity of the live show format presents a unique experience that contrasts with the structured nature of regular podcast episodes.
Mayor London Breed's Insights
Mayor London Breed discusses the challenges San Francisco has faced, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, while also highlighting positive developments in the city. She mentions significant efforts to improve public safety, reduce crime rates, and assist over 20,000 individuals in overcoming homelessness, thus portraying a city on the path to recovery. The mayor expresses a sense of optimism about the city's future and emphasizes the importance of shifting public perception by showcasing positive narratives about San Francisco. Her conversation reflects on the contrasts between challenges faced and the resilience displayed by the citizens and city officials.
The Art of Conversation
The host reflects on the value of meaningful conversations, suggesting that in the era of digital communication, authentic conversations have diminished. Drawing from personal experiences as a journalist, the host emphasizes the importance of asking questions and learning from those interactions to enrich one's understanding and foster growth. This theme of conversation takes center stage during the live show, as the host and guests engage in an open dialogue, exploring various topics that impact society. The enriching power of conversation is presented as an essential human trait that should not be overlooked.
Economic Innovation and Insights
The podcast features discussions with economic experts focusing on topics such as consumer surplus, GDP, and how they relate to technology's influence on society. The experts argue for a new approach to measuring economic well-being that accounts for digital goods and free services often overlooked in traditional GDP calculations. The concept of GDPB, or GDP Benefit, is introduced as a way to capture the value users derive from services that do not have explicit prices. This discussion reflects a broader commentary on how economic metrics need to evolve to accurately portray the complexities of today’s technology-driven world.
Stephen Dubner, live on stage, mixes it up with outbound mayor London Breed, and asks economists whether A.I. can be “human-centered” and if Tang is a gateway drug.
