The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 49 - Happier Maps, Better Routes, and the Tyranny of Efficiency with Daniele Quercia Jan 15, 2019

Show notes

Daniele Quercia, Professor of Urban Informatics, talks about his research into what makes a city and a travel route good. Our algorithms aren't measuring things like sights, smells, and ambiance, and these are the things that can affect our mood and overall wellbeing. We discussion:
- The change in focus from Efficiency to Exploration
- The Political Map (or technically accurate map) versus the phychological mind-map
- Making daily habits more inspiring
- Ideas for urban planners and for changes to the modern workplace
Go to localmaxradio.com/49 and goodcitylife.org for more information.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 48 - Chasing the Perfect Voting System with Daniel Kronovet Jan 08, 2019

Show notes

Today's discussion with Daniel Kronovet is about social choice theory and voting systems. The topics include:
- The history of the theory versus the practice which is much older (American founder and ancient Greece)
- Multi-party voting, ranked voting, and Condorcet
- Arrow's Theorem
- Relation to Surveys and Foursquare
- Blockchain voting and allocating budget.
The notes for this show are on localmaxradio.com/48
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 47 - Max on Stage with the Year in Review Jan 01, 2019

Show notes

Today you'll hear Max's first attempt at newsroom-style standup comedy - taking place at the Foursquare 2018 talent show at Foursquare HQ in Flatiron.
Afterwards, a discussion with Aaron about the bit, the previous 2 episodes, and our favorite and memorable episodes throughout the year. Also our hopes for 2019 on the Local Maximum.
Have your own hopes for the show in 2019? Email localmaxradio@gmail.com.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 46 - The Audio Internet with Shani Offen Dec 25, 2018

Show notes

The web was designed for text and images, and all of the interactive elements we use today, and all of the advertising technology backing it up was developed as such. Spotify Machine Learning Engineer Shani Offen asks how we can apply this to audio content like music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
We cover:
- The role of advertising in driving innovation.
- The difficulties of building audio chatbots.
- Brainstorming on interactive sound and voice.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 45 - Inside Google, Engineer Maryam Aly with a Comprehensive Account Dec 18, 2018

Show notes

A riveting long-form interview with former Google engineer Maryam Aly as she gives us a close-up insight into what it's like to work for the tech giant, and the culture and structures inside. We do not shy away from the hot topics which include:
- Google’s Interview and Recruitment Process
- Approach to security and privacy
- Google's product decision-making and roadmaps
- Gravity of search results and the potential for Bias or tampering
- Atmosphere during and after the circulation of the James Damore Memo.
- Google’s specific approach to running a diverse workplace
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 44 - Ranking Foursquare Tips with Enrique Cruz Dec 11, 2018

Show notes

If you want to know how machine learning is used to solve real world problems (even first world problems like helping you out at restaurants) - then this episode is for you.
Max and Enrique Cruz talk about how Foursquare ranks its tips, how we used machine learning in the process, and our takeaways from how content is ranked online generally.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 43 - Self Driving Cars and the Cycle of Adoption Dec 04, 2018

Show notes

Self Driving Cars are often in the news, and this month the chatter has picked up! Waymo wants to launch in Phoenix, and GM is investing heavily in it's self driving division.
But what does this mean? Will we see true autonomous taxis soon, or will there be a transition period - and what will it look like? We cut through news articles that try to paint a positive or negative story based on the same facts.
Aaron joins me today to discuss these issues. localmaxradio.com/43
Also - Google Hangout's demise alongside Google Plus!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 42 - Untouched Civilizations, Media Evolution, and GPlus Collections Nov 27, 2018

Show notes

We discuss the story of an American missionary killed on North Sentinel Island - a forbidden Island off the coast of India which has been isolated for tens of thousands of years.
Also:
- Complaints about the trains in the northeast US
- Some updates on my sabbatical projects
- Followup on my discussion with David Pietrusza: Teddy Roosevelt, and the society at the turn-of-the-20th-century.
- Answer a listeners question about Google Plus's strategy
localmaxradio.com/42
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 41 - The Presidents and Communication Technology with David Pietrusza Nov 20, 2018

Show notes

Discussion with political historian David Pietrusza about the Presidents and the changing political landscape. We cover how our political system was affected by the rise of radio, television, film, and connecting it to today's technological trends.
- Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, Pre-1920 use of Phonographs.
- the Rise of Radio in the 1920s, FDR's fireside chats
- Television, late night, JFK, Nixon, and Reagan
- Reality TV, Social Media, and targetted advertising in the age of Obama and Trump.
http://davidpietrusza.com/
localmaxradio.com/41
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 40 - Charlie Oliver on Tech 2025, Open and Thought Provoking Conversations about our Near Future Nov 13, 2018

Show notes

Tech 2025's Charlie Oliver stops by the Foursquare office to discuss her approach to engaging and energizing the public with topics on emerging technology. We discuss:
- The evolving attitudes of some of the industry leaders and technical experts, and the disconnect between themselves and the people affects by their creations.
- How to engage the public on topics like Machine Learning, AI, and Blockchain without going the route of the "technical boring lecture"
- How passions and emotions can be stirred up by product creation; and can take the creators completely by surprise.
This is a packed episode. Check out tech2025.com, and enjoy!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

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