'ReCoding America': Stories of How Government Works (or Doesn't) | With Jennifer Pahlka
Why is government so slow to innovate? Traditional theories blame lack of funding, incompetence, or — most popularly— corrupt incentives.
Jennifer Pahlka disagrees.
Jennifer was the Executive Director of Code for America. She was the former U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the White House. And the founder of the United States Digital Service.
And the stories she tells uncover the real reasons our government programs and policies struggle.
Join Jennifer on Thursday, July 6 at 8 am PT and learn:
How implicit defaults drove delays with the NASA satellite program
How the Veterans’ Office unblocked their backlog with user research
How friction in processes (not technology) delayed unemployment claims processing during Covid
These examples are why every behavioral scientist gets up in the morning and goes to work. Jennifer’s book has visceral examples of how friction, incentives, & status quo influence progress.
Ezra Klein says this is the book every policymaker should read. Kristen Berman says it’s the book every behavioral scientist should read. It’s that good! And it’s probably the most ‘behavioral science’ book you’ll ever read that’s not labeled as behavioral science.
Don’t miss this chance to get a fresh perspective on government and learn how these systems operate — so that we can improve them.
If you’re interested in how behavioral science intersects with public policy, this is an opportunity to engage with a leading voice in the field.