Community organizer, researcher, Wikipedia founders, and artist discuss creating inclusive public spaces, digital connectivity, participatory budgeting, and Wikipedia's role in the Arab Spring.

Original broadcast date: July 23, 2021. How can we create public places that feel welcoming and safe for everyone? This hour, TED speakers examine our physical and digital spaces—how they run, who they serve, and how to make them better. Guests include community organizer Shari Davis, researcher Eli Pariser, Wikipedia Library founder Jake Orlowitz, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, and artist Matthew Mazzotta.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Shari Davis, a community organizer known for her work in participatory budgeting, and Eli Pariser, a researcher who coined the term 'filter bubble,' dive into the importance of creating inclusive public spaces. They discuss how participatory budgeting empowers communities to shape their environments and fosters trust among residents. Pariser highlights the need for intentional design in digital spaces to combat isolation and enhance public discourse. Together, they emphasize the role of both physical and online spaces in cultivating community connections.

Shari Davis, a community leader and executive director advocating for participatory budgeting, discusses the transformative power of community involvement in government spending. She emphasizes how this approach amplifies voices often unheard, promoting inclusivity and equity. Davis shares inspiring examples, like a Boston initiative where marginalized youth influence projects. She argues for opening public spaces to all citizens, suggesting that collective decision-making can help reshape neighborhoods and strengthen democracy.

Shari Davis, Lorian Ngarambe, and Alexander Kolokotronis discuss participatory budgeting, its historical roots, its impact in anti-poverty initiatives, strategies for involvement, its growth in the US, and its role in bringing about system change.