March 24, 2013

CitiStat Meets Big Data

Check out the article to the right from the New York Times titled, "The Mayor's Geek Squad." Mayor Bloomberg has married CitiStat with Big Data to fix problems and get action.
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2 comments:

  1. Harry SandersMarch 26, 2013

    Interesting article. Perhaps a break from the traditional top down government approach addressing the role of leadership. The human condition of population density multiplies the need and opportunity, engaging in a spirit of citizenship from the ground up. For what do we have if one were able to live beyond public perception of the election process where officials are created by popularity? - Caring souls willing to explore situations based not in what is presented as campaign fluff, but for real-world private sector experience/solutions. Government seems to lag in performance compared to the accelerated timetable of private sector business. Is there a humbling meld of business sense here in Newton? - beyond the doctored citi-stat. The institutional government machine relies on accepted policy which reinforces and protects lagging performance, exemplified in such sacred cows as pension - getting paid to do just enough knowing that the pension will reward. This unfunded government commitment is not sustainable, yet do we have leaders who are willing to forego the acceptance of pension and benefits, able to instead role model leadership by putting their money where their mouth is, by perhaps donating their salary and pension to say Newton School Foundation (Newton Schools)? Where is the breakpoint of government ponzi scheme bond process premised on faith in the false assumption of global economics?

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  2. JazzdoxJune 07, 2015

    I realize this article is years old but the lessons are entirely relevant today. The big data analysis is critical to any large project in Newton to answer questions such as: would the Austin street project be profitable to the city or be another money drain? Would it generate more income for local businesses or result in raised rents that would eventually displace them with big generic stores? Will it cause more students to enter a school system that is at capacity or result in more housing for downsizing seniors? Will it add unsustainable stress to the current sewer system? Will it cause traffic issues? What is the 5 year and 10 year projection? We fiercely need a geek squad in our city and with your background, you seem like the perfect candidate to head it up. If there already is one, I sure haven't heard about it.

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