New View from the Big Chair

The World Is Changing Future Shock in the ‘60s said we could only accommodate so much change before a melt-down; many believed Toffler but does it still apply? Change happens at a breakneck speed, however it takes time to recognize and adapt. The Information Interview, a mainstay of job transitions, doesn’t work anymore. Thought Exercise:Read… Read more »

Noel Hidalgo: Why I’m Coding for America

We are living on the horizon of a bright tomorrow. Transparency, efficiency, and participation are echoing through the halls of government and in the streets of New York. In 2009, when a small group of organizers and technologists walked through the doors of New York State House, we etched these words into the walls. FourRead… Read more »

In Praise of Basic Research, or It Doesn’t All Have to Be Useful

I try to remember to do basic research every once in a while, where I figure out how the world works without a goal in mind. This contrasts with applied research, which is about solving particular problems or taking advantage of specific opportunities. The distinction can be pretty clear in science. For example, in physicsRead… Read more »

I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were

True story time. Last year, I was honoured to be asked to present and run two workshops at the LGcomms Academy, their newly revamped AGM meeting of minds. For those who don’t know, LGcomms stands for Local Government Communications and is national body representing UK Local Authorities in their efforts to better their communication efforts.Read… Read more »

NAGC’s Communicator of the Year Nominations

Do you know an outstanding government communicator? A public servant or organization that set an example for others in 2012? Each year, the National Association of Government Communicators recognizes a government communicator who has exemplified the best or most innovative communications practices and helped instill public trust by effectively presenting accurate, timely and meaningful information,Read… Read more »

Nothing succeeds like success

Winning breeds winning I admit it, I like to win. There is something about success that just makes me feel good. Maybe it’s just the endorphins talking, but sometimes that win or success seems to feed into the next. It turns out I’m not the only one. “The winner effect” describes a biochemical change thatRead… Read more »

NAGC’s “Communicator of the Year” Nominations

Do you know an outstanding government communicator? A public servant or organization that set an example for others in 2012? Each year, the National Association of Government Communicators recognizes a government communicator who has exemplified the best or most innovative communications practices and helped instill public trust by effectively presenting accurate, timely and meaningful information,Read… Read more »

Crowdfunding Government

A few months ago, I had the privilege of outlining Citizinvestor‘s long-term vision for crowdfunding government projects at a TEDx event in Tampa, Florida. Here’s video of my talk: I would love to hear what you think about this idea! Please leave your thoughts in a comment below.

Succeeding or not on the internet

A lot of people are unwilling to innovate online because they’re worried it’ll go badly. After all, there’s a story every week in the media about someone ballsing up online in one way or another. It strikes me, from only a cursory examination of a lot of these stories, that most of the time, peopleRead… Read more »