The Cooper Hewitt - Photo by the Smithsonian Institute Last fall, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum of Design invited visitors to submit exhibition ideas. Here's what I shared: Hi Curators, I’d like to propose that the Cooper Hewitt curate an exhibition on “Designing Community: Solutions for a Fragmenting World.” In this moment of deep division, … Continue reading I pitched the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum on an Exhibition & Symposium. Here’s what I wrote.
Politics
Is more speech always better? That’s the wrong question to ask.
Last summer, following the release of a civil rights audit critical of Facebook's handling of hate speech on the platform, I wrote an essay exploring a different way to think about regulating hate speech and misinformation. Given the decision this week by Facebook's Oversight Board upholding the suspension of President Trump's account, it seems like … Continue reading Is more speech always better? That’s the wrong question to ask.
Redistribution Isn’t Enough
Imagine for a moment that you and a group of strangers are asked to design a set of rules that will govern the city that you live in. Except there’s a catch: while deciding on these rules you don’t know whether you’ll be rich or poor; young or old; able bodied or disabled; smart or not; black, white, male, female, gay, straight, etc. In other words, you know nothing about what your circumstances will be when you emerge from your deliberations.
Hunting for a sense of community in Hunters Point
Sitting outside of Cantina, a Mexican restaurant in the Hunters Point area of Long Island City, yesterday, I stared at the glass towers and wide side walks around me. I took in the street-level retail -- a handful of restaurants and a coffee shop -- and noted the playing fields in the middle of it all. I watched as masked couples pushed strollers by... The neighborhood felt soulless and I was struggling to put my finger on why.
Reflections on ‘Are We All In This Together?’
A few weeks ago, Michael Sandel, one of my old college professors, published an op-ed in the Times asking the provocative question: “are we all in this together?” Sandel is a philosopher who has dedicated his life and career to asking deep questions about assumptions in society that we take for granted. When I took … Continue reading Reflections on ‘Are We All In This Together?’
Medium: “The Public Option”
Last fall, I put together a piece examining the death of local news, why it matters, and why we should get serious about public funding to save it. The crux of my argument boils down to this: [L]osing local journalism is something that should worry us. It’s not just about an antiquated technology or business … Continue reading Medium: “The Public Option”
Why Social Capital Matters
A few weeks ago, I was asked to give a "persuasive talk" at work. I decided to share an overview of this project, and argued that when it comes to our personal philosophies and politics, we should prioritize community connections -- and not just meritocratic gain. I don't know how persuasive I was. But here … Continue reading Why Social Capital Matters
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Why Sen. Sherrod Brown’s ‘dignity of work’ message resonates with voters
Originally Published: Cleveland Plain Dealer (January 9, 2019) NEW YORK -- As an unabashed progressive recently re-elected in an increasingly red state, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown thinks he may have a message to heal our urban-rural divide. “I won my election because I talk about the dignity of work," he told NBC-TV’s Chuck Todd shortly after Election … Continue reading Cleveland Plain Dealer: Why Sen. Sherrod Brown’s ‘dignity of work’ message resonates with voters
SF Chronicle: What we can do to heal the nation
Originally Published: San Francisco Chronicle (December 30, 2018) Facebook Friends: We need to talk. Your social media habit is killing America. Now, I don’t want to sound like a Luddite or your scolding mother. Trust me: I’m hoping you’ll like this and maybe even re-share. But the fact you’re reading this here, on your news … Continue reading SF Chronicle: What we can do to heal the nation
Bernie Zipprich 