The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Daniele Quercia, Professor of Urban Informatics, talks about his research into what makes a city and a travel route good. Our algorithms aren't measuring things like sights, smells, and ambiance, and these are the things that can affect our mood and overall wellbeing. We discussion:- The change in focus from Efficiency to Exploration- The Political Map (or technically accurate map) versus the phychological mind-map- Making daily habits more inspiring- Ideas for urban planners and for changes to the modern workplaceGo to localmaxradio.com/49 and goodcitylife.org for more information. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Today's discussion with Daniel Kronovet is about social choice theory and voting systems. The topics include:- The history of the theory versus the practice which is much older (American founder and ancient Greece)- Multi-party voting, ranked voting, and Condorcet- Arrow's Theorem- Relation to Surveys and Foursquare- Blockchain voting and allocating budget.The notes for this show are on localmaxradio.com/48 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Today you'll hear Max's first attempt at newsroom-style standup comedy - taking place at the Foursquare 2018 talent show at Foursquare HQ in Flatiron.Afterwards, a discussion with Aaron about the bit, the previous 2 episodes, and our favorite and memorable episodes throughout the year. Also our hopes for 2019 on the Local Maximum.Have your own hopes for the show in 2019? Email localmaxradio@gmail.com. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

The web was designed for text and images, and all of the interactive elements we use today, and all of the advertising technology backing it up was developed as such. Spotify Machine Learning Engineer Shani Offen asks how we can apply this to audio content like music, podcasts, and audiobooks.We cover:- The role of advertising in driving innovation.- The difficulties of building audio chatbots.- Brainstorming on interactive sound and voice. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

A riveting long-form interview with former Google engineer Maryam Aly as she gives us a close-up insight into what it's like to work for the tech giant, and the culture and structures inside. We do not shy away from the hot topics which include:- Google’s Interview and Recruitment Process- Approach to security and privacy- Google's product decision-making and roadmaps- Gravity of search results and the potential for Bias or tampering- Atmosphere during and after the circulation of the James Damore Memo.- Google’s specific approach to running a diverse workplace Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

If you want to know how machine learning is used to solve real world problems (even first world problems like helping you out at restaurants) - then this episode is for you.Max and Enrique Cruz talk about how Foursquare ranks its tips, how we used machine learning in the process, and our takeaways from how content is ranked online generally. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Self Driving Cars are often in the news, and this month the chatter has picked up! Waymo wants to launch in Phoenix, and GM is investing heavily in it's self driving division.But what does this mean? Will we see true autonomous taxis soon, or will there be a transition period - and what will it look like? We cut through news articles that try to paint a positive or negative story based on the same facts.Aaron joins me today to discuss these issues. localmaxradio.com/43Also - Google Hangout's demise alongside Google Plus! Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

We discuss the story of an American missionary killed on North Sentinel Island - a forbidden Island off the coast of India which has been isolated for tens of thousands of years.Also:- Complaints about the trains in the northeast US- Some updates on my sabbatical projects- Followup on my discussion with David Pietrusza: Teddy Roosevelt, and the society at the turn-of-the-20th-century.- Answer a listeners question about Google Plus's strategylocalmaxradio.com/42 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Discussion with political historian David Pietrusza about the Presidents and the changing political landscape. We cover how our political system was affected by the rise of radio, television, film, and connecting it to today's technological trends.- Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, Pre-1920 use of Phonographs.- the Rise of Radio in the 1920s, FDR's fireside chats- Television, late night, JFK, Nixon, and Reagan- Reality TV, Social Media, and targetted advertising in the age of Obama and Trump.http://davidpietrusza.com/localmaxradio.com/41 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Tech 2025's Charlie Oliver stops by the Foursquare office to discuss her approach to engaging and energizing the public with topics on emerging technology. We discuss:- The evolving attitudes of some of the industry leaders and technical experts, and the disconnect between themselves and the people affects by their creations.- How to engage the public on topics like Machine Learning, AI, and Blockchain without going the route of the "technical boring lecture"- How passions and emotions can be stirred up by product creation; and can take the creators completely by surprise.This is a packed episode. Check out tech2025.com, and enjoy! Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe