Podcast Summary
Andrew Yang's Data-Driven Approach to Running for Mayor of NYC: Andrew Yang, known for his background in economics and entrepreneurship, believes in using data and logic rather than emotion and ideology in politics. His mayoral candidacy offers an alternative approach based on his unique experiences.
Andrew Yang, a former presidential candidate, is running for mayor of New York City. He believes that many politicians rely on emotion and ideology rather than data and logic, unlike the approach taken by Freakonomics Radio. Yang's background includes economics, political science, law, and entrepreneurship, and his non-profit, Venture for America, aimed to generate job growth in struggling communities. Yang understands the frustration of those left behind by modern capitalism and believes that Trump's understanding of this frustration propelled him to win the presidency in 2016. Yang's candidacy for mayor offers an alternative approach based on his unique experiences and data-driven thinking.
Andrew Yang's Vision for Human-Centered Capitalism: Andrew Yang believes in prioritizing policies that improve basic measurements such as health, education, and environmental sustainability, instead of solely focusing on gaining political power. His approach could benefit individuals and businesses while shaking up politics.
Andrew Yang proposes a human-centered capitalism approach for the Democratic Party to focus on developing policies that improve health, education, environmental sustainability, and other basic measurements, rather than just electing more Democrats. Yang suggests that these outcomes should be a priority for both parties. As a political outsider, Yang may lack experience, but the current approach to politics isn't working, and he believes change is needed. Yang's vision for climbing the charts would benefit individuals and businesses alike, and could shake up politics not only in New York City but also at the national level.
The Future of New York City's Leadership: The upcoming mayoral election presents an opportunity for change in a city grappling with COVID-19 and questions of police accountability. Andrew Yang and Eric Adams offer different approaches to governing, but both must address the city's urgent needs.
The upcoming New York City mayoral election holds particular weight due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the replacement of the majority of the City Council. Andrew Yang, former presidential candidate, is currently leading in the polls but faces criticism for his lack of government experience and conflicting policies. His main competitor, Eric Adams, offers a unique perspective as both a former police captain and advocate for racial justice. The election has become a test of credibility in a city that has struggled with police reform and racial tensions. Regardless of the outcome, New Yorkers are eager for change after eight years of an unpopular mayor and the devastating impact of COVID-19.
Andrew Yang on Ranked-Choice Voting, American Capitalism, and Corporate Ethics: Andrew Yang supports ranked-choice voting to improve democracy and reduce negative campaigning, recognizes issues with winner-take-all dynamics in American capitalism, and expresses concern about unethical behavior by big corporations.
Andrew Yang advocates for ranked-choice voting as a way to enhance democracy and reduce negative campaigning, and believes it will benefit him in the New York City mayoral race. When asked about modern American capitalism, Yang identifies hyper-corporatization and winner-take-all dynamics as negative features, leaving many Americans behind. He sees the potential for capitalism to allocate capital efficiently and fuel innovation, but notes that there are areas where innovation has been slow due to a lack of financial incentive. Additionally, Yang shares concerns about the ease with which big firms can engage in illegal or unethical behavior and avoid significant consequences.
Andrew Yang's Proposal for Human-Centered Capitalism: Andrew Yang suggests focusing on improving people's quality of life through data-based progress measurement, instead of prioritizing capital returns. He stresses the importance of human-centered capitalism and increased utilization of data, such as in New York City.
Andrew Yang proposes orienting incentives around improving quality of life rather than just capital returns, using data to measure progress. He highlights New York City's copious levels of data and the need for more human-centered capitalism.
The Challenges of Implementing the 'Freedom Dividend' in Practice: The 'Freedom Dividend' is a rebranded version of universal basic income that has gained popularity among conservatives. However, distributing cash relief to those in extreme poverty poses a challenge in practice, as seen during the pandemic. Financial institutions may not be willing to cooperate.
The 'freedom dividend' is a rebrand of universal basic income that tested better with self-identified conservatives due to the word 'freedom.' It was proposed by Andrew Yang during his presidential campaign and has now been adapted as a billion-dollar cash-relief plan for half a million New Yorkers in extreme poverty. However, it is challenging to give people money, as evidenced by Humanity Forward's direct experience trying to distribute $1 million to 1,000 families in the Bronx during the pandemic. Citibank and JPMorgan Chase declined to help identify financially precarious account holders, indicating a lack of will on their part.
New York City's People's Bank Proposal: The proposed People's Bank aims to provide basic financial services to all, reducing the need for expensive check-cashing fees and pawnshop lenders. Andrew Yang's approach prioritizes eliminating poverty and disregard for political incentives.
New York City's proposed People's Bank aims to provide basic financial services to everyone, regardless of their documentation or immigration status, thus eliminating the need to spend over $600 a year on check-cashing fees, money-wiring fees and pawnshop lenders. While the city explored the possibility of chartering its bank, it found that starting a nonprofit and investing in it would be more direct. Andrew Yang, the mayoral candidate, believes that he can work amicably with the governor and the state legislator towards eliminating poverty as their interests are aligned in this regard. Yang is willing to forgo conventional political incentives and ignore credit or attention to get things done.
Andrew Yang's Plan to Revive NYC's Economy: Andrew Yang plans to jump-start the economy using the municipal budget of $90 billion by avoiding service cuts and hosting a large post-COVID celebration, but his success will depend on practical and effective policies.
Andrew Yang is a likable and clever front-runner for the mayor of New York City who has good ideas and wants to be helpful. However, the city's most pressing issue is its economy, which has suffered significantly due to the pandemic. Yang plans to jump-start the economy through the municipal budget of $90 billion, which only accounts for 9 percent of the city's economy. The exercise is to use that 9 percent to activate the other 91 percent in two years, an ambitious goal given the uncertainty around future federal aid. Yang believes cutting services won't lead to success, and he plans to avoid the downward spiral that occurred in the 1970s. His plans include a massive post-COVID reopening celebration in the city with artists, musicians, and speakers, which would be glorious, but will ultimately require practical and effective policies to revitalize the city's economy.
Andrew Yang's Plan to Revitalize New York City's Economy: Andrew Yang proposes investing $100 million in digital advertisements to bring back tourists and revive small businesses in New York City. He stresses the need to prioritize economic growth and job creation while balancing political and social concerns.
Andrew Yang discusses the importance of reconstituting the value proposition and competitiveness of New York City to bring back the thousands of lost jobs and businesses. He proposes investing money in digital advertisements that target people who have already shown a propensity to travel and spend, starting with $100 million in the first campaign. Yang emphasizes the need to bring back tourists to the city, which supported over 300,000 jobs and generated $46 billion in revenue in 2019. He also acknowledges the challenge of balancing the need for growth with political and social pressure against it, but believes that getting small businesses back on their feet should be everyone's top priority.
Andrew Yang on the Importance of Physical Proximity for Economic Growth: Andrew Yang believes physical proximity is important for business success. He suggests giving incentives for firms to bring people back to the office, including gift certificates to support local businesses.
Andrew Yang believes that solving poverty and addressing economic growth are not mutually exclusive. He emphasizes the importance of physical proximity for businesses, especially in highly competitive industries such as finance, media, technology, arts, and culture. However, the pandemic has shown that people can work remotely and still be productive. To bring people back to the office, Yang suggests giving examples and providing political cover for firms that are trying to bring people back. He also suggests providing incentives like gift certificates to local bars and restaurants, which can help in the recovery of businesses as well. Overall, Yang believes that physical proximity is a competitive advantage for firms and that New York City needs to make a clear case for it.
Andrew Yang's Innovative Ideas for Commercial Real Estate Repurposing: Andrew Yang proposes repurposing underutilized commercial spaces for startups, artists, life-science labs, and pop-up retail to create economic value and proposes commercial landlords adjust prices. Converting to housing is an option for some buildings, but not a panacea.
Andrew Yang proposes repurposing commercial real estate that may not be used for offices towards new spaces like startups, life-science-related lab spaces, pop-up retail spaces, artists' spaces as well as converting commercial buildings to residential spaces. He suggests that commercial landlords may need to adjust their prices and valuations downward to accommodate these changes. The economic value derived from these imaginative ideas may not be what commercial tenants provide, but is still vastly superior to empty and dark buildings. Converting commercial buildings to housing is an option but only for a low proportion of office buildings. Andrew Yang believes that fighting to get people back to the office and to repurpose buildings towards new spaces that offer economic value is key in adjusting to a new reality of commercial real estate.
Revitalizing NYC Through Innovative Ideas for Urban Development: Yang's approach prioritizes small business support, vacant property solutions, and cost-effective housing conversion that fosters communities and allows for innovation in urban agriculture.
Converting hotels into housing can be cost-effective and time-efficient. Vertical farming has potential for stimulating urban agriculture, but may not be suitable for all buildings. To support small businesses, being a genuine partner by declaring a moratorium on fines and making outdoor dining permanent can help increase revenue. A vacancy tax may also be implemented to ensure landlords are incentivized to fill empty storefronts. Yang's focus is on supporting small businesses and not getting overly bureaucratic with mom-and-pop shops, which he sees as the lifeblood of NYC.
Andrew Yang's Vision for Improving NYC Public Schools: Andrew Yang plans to build upon current successes, increase funding where it's needed, empower school leaders, and expand the use of charter schools. He also advocates for negotiating better teacher tenure and retaining new teachers.
Andrew Yang believes in improving New York City public schools by building on existing successes, getting more money flowing towards areas where it will help kids learn, empowering principals and administrators to address students’ needs more authoritatively, and increasing the number of already authorized charter schools in use. Yang also advocates for negotiating with the union for better teacher tenure and retaining more starting-out teachers. He recognizes the need for experienced teachers as well. Andrew Yang's non-political background may generate concerns about his candidacy, but his ideas indicate his compassion towards human issues, and his belief in improving New York's future.
Andrew Yang's Practical Approach to Mayoralty and Government Reform: Andrew Yang aims to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers by activating private and philanthropic sectors while challenging the traditional bureaucracy of city government. Learn more about his platform through past interviews.
Andrew Yang highlights his practical approach to improving the way of life for New Yorkers as a potential mayor, emphasizing the need to activate the private sector, philanthropic sector, tech sector, and cultural community. He acknowledges the administrative and cheerleading aspects of the job and questions the effectiveness of government agencies and bureaucracies. Yang presents himself as a candidate who is not particularly ideological and not inclined to favor special interests that have dominated politics in the city for a long time. He believes his experiences as a small business owner and nonprofit founder set him apart from other candidates with experience in city government. Yang's chances of winning remain to be seen, but voters can learn more about his views by listening to his past interviews on Episode 362, 'Why Is This Man Running for President?', Episode 434, 'Is New York City Over?', and Episode 242, 'Is the World Ready for a Guaranteed Basic Income?'.
