Stay ConnectedWelcome to the Only in San José (OSJ) civic education podcast, aimed at demystifying and democratizing the process of civic participation in local government–ground zero of systemic change. Hosted by Ellina Yin.
OSJ is powered by Dreaming Collaborative, a civic non-profit working at the intersection of culture, technology, and civic life to reimagine the practice of democracy in local government. Visit www.dreamingcollaborative.org to learn more about our work.
Copyright: © Only in San José
Join Co-Hosts Ellina Yin and Deitra Hoang as they take a deep dive into what is digital addiction? How is digital addiction harmful and what is being done about it? Welcome to "Breaking the Screen Spell," a special Only in San José podcast series that explores the topic of digital addiction and how we can regain control over our relationship with technology. In this podcast, co-hosts Ellina Yin and Deitra Hoang discuss the incredible power that technology has over our lives and how it can lead to losing touch with the world around us. We believe that through education, awareness, and action, we can help people break free from the negative effects of digital addiction and create a healthier relationship with technology.
Intro Music: “Full Circle by Civic Flora
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly. https://www.rashmiguttal.com/
Resources Links / Work Cited:
According to the first-quarter 2018 Nielsen Total Audience Report, the average American adult spends over 11 hours per day consuming media, including over 3 hours on smartphones alone. - https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2018/time-flies-us-adults-now-spend-nearly-half-a-day-interacting-with-media/
In addition, a study conducted in 2016 found that those with internet addiction exhibited significantly higher amounts of depression and anxiety symptoms, which affected their day-to-day activities, including their work and social lives. - https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/internet-addiction/
A study published by Dr. Daria Kuss and Olatz Lopez-Fernandez on the National Library of Medicine has shown that people with underlying mental health disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression are more likely to develop internet addiction. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804263/
Furthermore, Harvard researchers have shown that using blue light-emitting screen devices such as smartphones before bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns by suppressing the secretion of the hormone melatonin. - https://hms.harvard.edu/news/screen-time-brain
This finding is also supported by an article published in March 2021 by Stoneridge Centers, which states that the glowing light emitted by laptops, tablets, and smartphones tends to interfere with the brain and body’s internal light cues and sleep-inducing hormones. - https://stoneridgecenters.com/2021/03/22/technology-addiction-and-the-brain/
For example, the South Korean government, similar to the Thai government, imposed regulations on online game venue providers to reduce gaming access to teenagers under the age of 16 years from midnight to 6 a.m. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shutdown_law
Youth voter turnout in presidential elections in the United States from 1972 to 2020
https://www.statista.com/statistics/984745/youth-voter-turnout-presidential-elections-us/
In Episode 13 we have Guest Host Adrian Gonzales, who currently serves as the Director of Regional Implementation at All Home, a nonprofit organization that advances regional solutions to disrupt the cycle of poverty and homelessness across the nine Bay Area counties. He previously served at Destination: Home where he managed the County of Santa Clara's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a homelessness prevention program created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his focus on housing and homelessness policy, Adrian also served as a local government management consultant who conducted efficiency studies and performance audits for over 50 government agencies over the course of a decade, including campaign finance and election programs.
Our guest interview is Neil Park-McClinktick of Silicon Valley Rising (SVR), which is a coordinated campaign driven by a powerful coalition of labor, faith leaders, community-based organizations and workers. SVR is in support of Measure B a ballot measure proposal to amend the San Jose City Charter to (1) move the mayoral election from the gubernatorial election cycle to the presidential election cycle beginning in 2024 and (2) to limit the person elected to the Office of Mayor in 2022 to a Two-year term with the option to run for the Office of Mayor and serve as such for two additional successive four-year terms.
In Episode 12, as the City of San José considers expanding their Smart City and Innovation and Technology Advisory Board to include San Jose Residents, we go on a little Sci-Fi adventure with Masheika Allgood an AI Ethicist and the Founder of AllAI Consulting, LLC, a platform for providing AI education across various backgrounds. AllAI Consulting, LLC (pronounced "ally”), helps non-techies understand Artificial Intelligence, allowing business leaders and lawyers to actively participate in decision-making around the use of AI systems in their companies, and to adequately advise their clients and shareholders. Additionally Masheika is a member of the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet, addressing the broader social ills that are currently impacting their African American Community.
Resources:
In Episode 11 we speak with guest Jake Tonkel about Ranked Choice Voting, what is it, how it works, what are the fiscal impacts and more.
Resources:
In Episode 10, we examine two major Forms of Government the Council-Mayor and Mayor Council, with Professor Kimberly Nelson from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government. The episode contains audio from the March 22, 2021 Charter Review Commission's Study Session.
In Episode 9 we provide a quick recap of the work from the Charter Review Commission (episode 7), parts of this episode is audio taken from the Public City Council Meeting on January 11, 2022. As we round off our season, we will be following the final steps of the San José constitutional convention and finishing our coverage on boards and commissions. Intro song by mias. City Council Jan. 11th Meeting (Charter discussions begin around 1:15) Memorandum from the City Attorney's Office
In Episode 8 we have Guest Host(s): OSJ Intern Elena Hollemon and 1999 San José Youth Commissioner Danielle Boulé Hennessy, joining our interview with San José Youth Commissioners Nicole Hoang, Gordon Chen, and Amelia Uytingco as we tackle some tough questions facing us all today but thankfully with the hopeful enthusiasm of the youth!
Resource Links:
📜 San Jose Youth Bill of Rights
🎉 Check out the San Jose Youth Commission
📰 Current San Jose Boards & Commission Vacancies
👨🏻⚖️ Full CSPAN Facebook Hearing: Frances Haugen before Senate Commerce Committee
*Co-Executive Producer Credit: Elena Hollemon
In Episode 7 dive into one of our favorite commissions, the Charter Review Commission aka City Charter Constitutional Commission. On this episode we will cover one of the foundational legal documents that governs our city just after California and the U.S. Constitution. This episode includes audio clips from the Charter Review Commission public meetings under Public Domain.
Resource Links:
(1) Sign Up for the Only in San José Newsletter
(2) SJ Charter Review Commission
(3) SJ Charter Review Commission Past Meetings
(4) Detroit Charter Commission
(5) Shelby v Holden
In Episode 6 we will be covering the San José Redistricting Commission which happens every 10 years following the US Census. Our guest for this episode is Deputy City Attorney for City of San José and SJSU alum Mark Vanni. Join us as we break down the work of the Redistricting Commission for 2021. Disclaimer: Our interview with Mark was recorded back in November 2020.
In Episode 5 we dive into the relationship between the mayor, council, and the city manager's office with our guest, former Deputy City Manager for the City of San José, Kim Walesh. Together we go over the details of this office as a whole alongside 2021 Charter Review Commission (CRC) study of the City Charter to understand whether our City’s governance structure is appropriately suited to meet the complex needs of a contemporary community.
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