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Okay, I've *finally* sent out a newsletter.
I'm trying out Substack. Let's see if it works.
In this one:
- Personal updates
- A theory of 3 constraints in tech services
- Medi-Cal friction mapping
Dave Guarino
41.9K posts
Dave Guarino
@allafarce
Working to safely deploy AI in state & local government at Anthropic. Ex: CfA/GetCalFresh, CA, USDOL, Propel. Toddler dad; ferry maximalist. Posts solely mine.
- Me, the Californian, on a thread with New Yorkers talking about scheduling dinner and someone says "8:30 is great!"
- Hertz has sued Accenture for failing to deliver on a $32 million "digital transformation" project. Follow along as we read the lawsuit's details...
- I'm calling for a total and complete shutdown of new JavaScript frameworks until we can figure out what the hell is going on.
- Replying to @datamattssonNo but I've been to Argentina and almost died
- You could write a whole book starting with this screenshot.
- I'm an engineer at heart, which means my eyes are rarely pointed up towards the clouds. I'm usually looking down at the pothole in front of me. But in my biggest, broadest vision, 5-10 years from now, building tech for the State of California would carry the prestige of Google.
- These words from @matt_levine struck me. And is compelling me to write about structures and (the specifics of) complex systems more.
- This is not abstract. The difficulty of navigating public benefits' convoluted jargon is more visible than it has ever been before:
Still reeling from this. 20% of US adults cannot read; 54% read <6th grade The implications for social insurance design are huge Tax policy, health insurance, everything--we talk "paperwork burdens" but it's bigger than that 20% of adults cannot read a food stamps application - WHOA! NYC reports it has almost completely eliminated its (VERY LARGE) backlog for SNAP (food stamps) and cash aid! And they did it by... reducing administrative burden! Namely, they are waiving the 6-month report!!
- This is the user experience if you're homeless and applying for food stamps in California. pic.x.com/BWXMVIIfB2
- Them: "Why can't we just have a short web form where people could learn all the benefits they're eligible for?" Me:
- Replying to @dylanmattNow would be a very good time for an explainer on what fed gov civil servants are allowed to do when given illegal orders, what rights they have, etc.
- Replying to @allafarceIf I were Hertz—or trying to learn from their experience—I'd take away a few lessons: 1. Build (don't buy) digital capabilities if you can 2. If not, at least build a product ownership capability 3. Insist on phased delivery: really-deployed websites used by real end users ...
