unSILOed with Greg LaBlanc

In a dynamic conversation, Jennifer Pahlka, a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and founder of Code For America, shares insights on government digital transformation. She discusses the critical role of feedback loops in policy implementation to avoid perverse outcomes. The conversation highlights the challenges of outdated procurement processes and over-reliance on contractors. Pahlka emphasizes the need for genuine user research and collaboration between policymakers and public servants to create effective digital services.

James C. Zimring, a Professor of Pathology and Immunology at the University of Virginia, dives deep into the philosophical dimensions of scientific inquiry. He discusses the gap between idealized notions of science and its chaotic realities. Zimring emphasizes the importance of critical debate in scientific progress and tackles the complexities of what it means for a scientist to 'know' something. He also explores biases in hypothesis testing and the social constructs shaping scientific methodology, shedding light on the misinterpretations often held by the public.

For much of America’s history, the promise of greater economic opportunities in new places was an intrinsic idea to the country’s identity. But in recent decades, it’s become increasingly difficult to pack up and chase that American dream. Why? Yoni Appelbaum is a deputy executive editor at The Atlantic and the author of the book, Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity which explores the significant decline in geographic and economic mobility in the United States over the past 50 years.Yoni and Greg analyze the historical context of mobility trends in America, the role of zoning laws, the influence of homeownership policies, and the changes brought about by millions of moves within American society. They also discuss possible reforms and a generational shift towards embracing growth and community development.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:How America got stuck in a mobility decline16:00: For almost all of American history, when a place was thriving economically, we threw up new housing to accommodate all the new arrivals who would flock toward that opportunity. And then, 50 years ago, we pretty much made it impossible to do that. And so, as a result, when people are in a place today with declining opportunity, they really are kind of stuck—the places that they could move just can't accommodate them.The hidden costs of not building30:09: If you do not build housing that is affordable, if you do not build new luxury housing that rich people move into, thereby letting the older housing stock become available to people on, on more limited incomes, if you are not building, then you are shutting out those people. And so, it is not just the crisis of homelessness, which is a real crisis, it is also that lack of mobility.Why newcomers make communities thrive06:45: Loneliness is good, aloneness is bad, but loneliness is like hunger. It is a spur to action… [07:09] It is that loneliness of the new arrivals in town that has traditionally spurred people to form social relationships. You are much likelier to join something if you are new in town. And then, there is the other part of it too, which is that a community that is full of new arrivals will have a much more vibrant civic life.Geography as a tool for reinvention08:26: Everything that mattered about you was defined at your birth. You inherited your spot in the social hierarchy, your religion, often your father's occupation, your prospects, your identity — all of that — and largely your geographic location, right? You lived on the land your family had lived on for generations and where you expected your grandkids and your great-grandkids to live. You were defined at birth. What America did by allowing people to choose their own communities, by giving a legal right — and this was a bit of a legal revolution — the chance for people to move where they wanted to, we gave people the chance to decide who they wanted to be through their physical geography, through those serial relocations. Because Americans did not just move once, maybe not 40 times, but by moving repeatedly through their lives, Americans were able to continually reinvent themselves and to fashion their own identities. All of these things became matters of choice.Show Links:Recommended Resources:The Opportunity AtlasOkie Jacob RiisGuest Profile:Author Bio at The AtlanticProfessional Profile on XGuest Work:Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity

Jonathan Haskel, a Professor of Economics at Imperial College, dives into the intricate world of the intangible economy. He discusses the challenges of valuing intangible assets like data and branding, and the necessity for institutional reforms to keep pace with this shift. Haskel highlights how AI can transform productivity akin to historical technological revolutions. The conversation also touches on the varying financial structures worldwide and the role of 'bullshit jobs' in supporting the evolving economic landscape.

What can be gained from looking back now at the pandemic response during COVID? What would a “postmortem” tell us about how policies were designed and how scientific discussions played out? Stephen Macedo is a professor of politics at Princeton University, as well as at the University Center for Human Values, and the author of several books including Greg and Stephen discuss the decision-making flaws during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of robust debate, the role of public health experts, and the increasing influence of partisanship. Stephen explores the potential long-term implications for democracy and science, the concept of noble lies, and the necessity of balancing expert advice with broader public interests. Their conversation also touches on the importance of liberal virtues and the need for both improved decision-making structures and individual adherence to professional ethics.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:When public health crowds out public values09:52: The public health mindset is that you only pay attention to reducing disease, and so public health experts had too much power. Wider decision-making should have been made by people looking at the whole range of public values, not just disease reduction or attempts to reduce disease. So, the many things that came together—but we regard the book as a window onto the state of our democracy, and in a way, our—you know—the dangers of our epistemic tribalism, to put it that way. The degraded state of deliberation in our country.How epistemic bubbles are making us dumber50:57: We are making ourselves stupider by being ensconced in these epistemic bubbles. We are undermining our own capacity for critical thought by not being more open to disagreement.Science can’t decide for a democracy alone55:58: We need both more checking of a wide array of elites being involved in thinking, challenging, questioning decisions, but also some way of making sure—possibly through legislative oversight, House of Representatives being involved. The public voices need to be heard as well because they bear the cost of these—need to be heard as well because they bear the cost of these measures. And as we said before, science is not going to make these decisions for us. There are value judgments involved, and it is the people's value judgments that matter to some degree of risk tolerance…[56:35] We need more checking and balancing in these kinds of decisions that affect the public as a whole, and more open debate, discussion, more tolerance of disagreement—including, or maybe even especially, coming from the partisan other, as it were.Science needs scrutiny, not censorship14:17: We need empirical inquiry to test the assumptions behind these particular policies and assumptions—not censorship in advance of evidence that might be unwelcome with respect to, you know, certain kinds of policy claims. So, I think there's a wider politicization of science. I do think we need more viewpoint diversity in the academy, and people say, "Wasn't this the code word for having more conservatives?" And I'll say, yes. I think we're a bit too far out of balance. We should not reflect the American public—I mean, that's not the aim—but I think we do not take seriously enough, reasonable concerns coming from the other side of the political spectrum. So, it's a long-winded answer to your question, but I think the COVID experience is emblematic and indicative of a wider problem and deeper problem.Show Links:Recommended Resources:David HalberstamGraham AllisonNeil FergusonDavid ZweigFrancis CollinsAnthony FauciSandro GaleaStephen HaberJohn IoannidisScott AtlasDeborah BirxAlasdair MacIntyreCharles TaylorThe Federalist PapersJohn LockeAdam SmithConsequentialismBen BernankeThe Great Exception: The New Deal and the Limits of American Politics (Politics and Society in Modern America) by Jefferson CowieInsecure Majorities: Congress and the Perpetual Campaign by Frances E. LeeGuest Profile:Faculty Profile at Princeton UniversityWikipedia PagePrinceton Politics PageSocial Profile on XPhilPeople.org ProfileGuest Work:Amazon Author PageIn Covid's Wake: How Our Politics Failed UsDeliberative Politics: Essays on Democracy and DisagreementDiversity and Distrust: Civic Education in a Multicultural DemocracyAmerican Constitutional InterpretationThe New Right v. the Constitution | CATO Institute

Eric A. Posner, a law professor at the University of Chicago and author of 'The Demagogue's Playbook', dives into the rise of populism and demagoguery in American politics. He contrasts the emotional tactics of leaders like Trump and Andrew Jackson with Lincoln's reasoned approach. The discussion reveals the historical tension between elites and populist movements, and Posner explores contemporary challenges in antitrust laws and labor markets. He also highlights the potential for political recovery after controversial leadership, drawing on lessons from history.

Ilya Shapiro, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of 'Lawless,' discusses the shifting landscape of legal education and the deepening politicization of judicial appointments. He highlights the influence of cancel culture, emphasizing the challenges of fostering free speech in law schools. Ilya critiques the ideological biases permeating legal academia and proposes reforms for a more balanced educational system. Their engaging conversation touches on the implications of these trends for the legal profession and the broader society.

Scott E. Page, a professor at the University of Michigan and author of 'The Model Thinker,' dives into the power of diverse perspectives in decision-making. He argues that incorporating varied models enhances outcomes, especially in complex scenarios. The conversation explores how AI can facilitate this diversity, promoting collaborative and inclusive environments. Page emphasizes the need for cognitive diversity over mere demographic representation and discusses how effective organizational cultures can emerge from embracing a rich tapestry of ideas.

Helena Rosenblatt is a professor at CUNY and an author specializing in liberalism's history. She dives into the shifting meanings of liberalism, discussing its evolution from character-driven concepts to modern rights-focused interpretations. Helena highlights the historical tension between liberalism and religion, and the impact of civic education on democracy. She emphasizes the need for rethinking liberal values in contemporary society, addressing influences from historical thinkers and the dangers of consumerism on citizenship.

Greg M. Epstein, Humanist chaplain at Harvard and MIT, explores the intersections of technology and humanism. He argues that technology functions as a modern religion, reshaping our lives and beliefs. The discussion dives into the ethical implications of widespread tech integration and the need for a reformation, akin to past religious movements. Epstein also examines effective altruism in tech culture, revealing the psychological motivations driving Silicon Valley elites and warns against the addictive devotion to technology that can overshadow genuine human connections.