It looks like a good part of the conversation is starting to revolve around influencing policy. I think there’s some big macro social/cultural forces that have been pushing people to be apolitical for a while now. The most interesting reform effort I’ve heard about lately is Lawrence Lessig’s anti-PAC in the US. How can we effectively level our political games up?
I agree there are macro factors pushing people away from policy. However, that can actually increase the effectiveness of policy engagement: less competition.
A great way to level up in politics is to get involved in local politics. Local politics is seriously underrated. It is not terribly hard to actually change actual policies. And you make connections that can help you build towards higher levels.
For gcr, a good one is urban planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I’m biased here, because I’m an urban planning junkie, but there’s always loads of opportunity. Here in NYC I have my eye on a new zoning policy change. It’s framed in terms of afforable housing, not global warming, but the effect is the same. See http://www.vox.com/2015/2/21/8080237/nyc-zoning-reform.
I agree there are macro factors pushing people away from policy. However, that can actually increase the effectiveness of policy engagement: less competition.
A great way to level up in politics is to get involved in local politics. Local politics is seriously underrated. It is not terribly hard to actually change actual policies. And you make connections that can help you build towards higher levels.
For gcr, a good one is urban planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I’m biased here, because I’m an urban planning junkie, but there’s always loads of opportunity. Here in NYC I have my eye on a new zoning policy change. It’s framed in terms of afforable housing, not global warming, but the effect is the same. See http://www.vox.com/2015/2/21/8080237/nyc-zoning-reform.