Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Sign in
Home
Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Leaderboard
Use
Analytics
Sign in
Suggest modification to this talk
Title
Description
Civic Hacking on Rails by William Jeffries Do you want to use your coding skills for good rather than for evil? Did you ever want to build something to make your city or your community suck less? Here are some lessons from a civic hacker on how to kickstart your project. Hint: it's nothing like writing a gem. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/G8P1/
Date
Summarized using AI?
If this talk's summary was generated by AI, please check this box. A "Summarized using AI" badge will be displayed in the summary tab to indicate that the summary was generated using AI.
Show "Summarized using AI" badge on summary page
Summary
Markdown supported
In the talk "Civic Hacking on Rails" by William Jeffries at RailsConf 2015, the speaker emphasizes the vital role of web developers as 'civic hackers' who can influence their communities for the better. He opens with a quote highlighting the magic of technology, reminding attendees of their responsibility to use their skills for good. Jeffries shares his personal journey into civic hacking, focusing on addressing the urgent issue of inadequate heating in low-income housing in New York City through a project called HeatSeek. The prevalence of heating complaints and legal stipulations exacerbating the issue underscore the necessity for action in civic tech. Key points discussed include: - **Civic Duty**: Developers should leverage their skills to positively affect society, embracing the idea of civic hacking. - **Challenges in Civic Hacking**: Jeffries outlines five traps civic hackers may encounter: the hackathon trap, the field of dreams fallacy, media hype distraction, pushback from existing structures, and deviation from core project goals. - **Using Open Data**: The importance of utilizing available government data to inform projects and mobilize communities is highlighted. - **Collaboration with Non-Developers and Managers**: The value of having non-developers in civic hacking projects and the role of good management to maintain focus is addressed. - **Financial Stability**: Maintaining day jobs allows hackers to pursue civic projects without the pressure of profit-driven motives. - **Perseverance and Teamwork**: The necessity of resilience and support within teams is stressed, as these factors contribute significantly to project sustainability. Jeffries concludes by encouraging developers to actively engage in civic hacking, participate in local initiatives, and contribute their skills to create meaningful societal change. He reiterates the magic of technology and the responsibility of developers to use their powers for good, ending with a call to action to explore civic hacking further. Through collaboration, focus, and commitment, developers can make a significant impact on their communities and address complex social issues effectively.
Suggest modifications
Cancel
