#Hashtag Government

July 8, 2015 8:36 AM

Jun, a small Andalusian town founded by the Romans 2,200 years ago, is using Twitter to reduce bureaucracy, serve its citizens, and run a more efficient administration.
posted by infini (12 comments total)

Cool idea, but I'd be wary of building an entire city platform dependent on a 3rd party service. What happens when Twitter decides to implement some fun Facebook algorithm and the Mayor only sees ads?
posted by msbutah at 8:48 AM on July 8, 2015

Better than having your spyware hacked and your intelligence data spewed out in public, no?
posted by infini at 8:53 AM on July 8, 2015

Cool idea, but I'd be wary of building an entire city platform dependent on a 3rd party service. What happens when Twitter decides to implement some fun Facebook algorithm and the Mayor only sees ads?

You're suggesting they make Jun immune to dragoon by tycoon?
posted by leotrotsky at 8:57 AM on July 8, 2015 [6 favorites]

To show the town’s commitment to Twitter, its central roundabout is adorned with the Twitter logo on top of an obelisc. Mayor Rodríguez Salas also has a big Twitter logo on the wall of his office.

This is corporate branding run amok! The only bird that should adorn an obelisk in Jun is the Eagle of Rome!
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:57 AM on July 8, 2015 [1 favorite]

The only bird that should adorn an obelisk in Jun is the Eagle of Rome!

Veni Vedi Tweety
posted by nubs at 9:02 AM on July 8, 2015 [7 favorites]

I'd argue instead that you're quite the maroon to impugn this boon to the picayune commune of Jun.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:05 AM on July 8, 2015 [4 favorites]

That article was refreshing and light with almost zero actual details.
posted by srboisvert at 9:33 AM on July 8, 2015

srboisvert, I could have done more, yes. Here's the rest of the FPP

Residents of the Spanish town use Twitter for everything from reporting crimes to booking doctor’s appointments. Is this the future of local government?

Dick Costolo: why tech firms are set to face complex ethical issues


Is this the future of public services? Genevieve Roberts meets some of the Spanish town's local characters...
posted by infini at 10:17 AM on July 8, 2015

SeeClickFix is a similar third-party service. You report your issue, and it gets sent to whatever the responsible department is. Unfortunately, some issues are state level and some are city level and it doesn't matter how hi-tech the city is if the state ignores the potholes on their roads.
posted by smackfu at 10:42 AM on July 8, 2015

Andalusian confusion comes from the conclusion that collusion with Twitter is folly and delusion.
posted by blue_beetle at 11:07 AM on July 8, 2015 [2 favorites]

Silicon Valley 'civic-tech' companies driving transparency in local government

and (from your last post on govtech!) i thought this was a pretty great documentary on some of the issues estonia is facing in its race to be the world's preeminent iGov or whatever :P

oh and fwiw, a critical look at google's sidewalk labs...
posted by kliuless at 3:21 PM on July 8, 2015 [2 favorites]

Thanks, kliuless! If ever you're moved to do one on social design, I'd be immensely grateful
posted by infini at 4:59 AM on July 9, 2015