An Inspiring Conversation with Dylan Hirsch-Shell: A Vision for San Francisco
How a Former Yang Gang Member Plans to Transform the City with Universal Basic Income, Innovative Policies, and a Pragmatic Approach to Governance
Hello Nerds! I am excited to share a recap of my recent interview with Dylan Hirsch-Shell, who is running for Mayor of San Francisco, on the Nerds for Humanity podcast. For those of you who haven't tuned in, Dylan is an old school Yang Gang member and a staunch advocate for Universal Basic Income (UBI) and voting reform. Our discussion covered a broad range of topics, from his motivations for running to his innovative policy proposals.
When Dylan joined the podcast, he expressed his appreciation for the work we've done over the years. "I've been a huge supporter of yours, been a fan since way back in the Yang Gang days," he said. Dylan’s journey into politics was inspired by Andrew Yang's presidential run, where Yang emphasized making America think harder. Dylan noted, "That’s a big part of why I'm doing what I'm doing currently."
One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was Dylan's perspective on political campaigns and voter engagement. He explained, "I'm maximizing voter engagement per dollar. It's a totally different mindset, and it’s the kind of mindset we really need in our city government as well."
Dylan also touched upon the fiscal challenges facing San Francisco. "We were on a $14.6 billion budget, now it's going to be at least $15.5 billion," he pointed out, emphasizing the need for a critical evaluation of the city’s spending and efficiency. This fiscal scrutiny is part of what motivates Dylan to seek office, aiming to ensure that the city's budget translates into tangible benefits for its residents.
We delved into the "Of The People" project, a venture aimed at creating a Yelp-like platform for political candidates. Dylan expressed his support and shared his insights on the project's challenges and learnings. One of the biggest learnings we had was that, unfortunately, a lot of voters don't necessarily do the research they would normally do if they were buying a pair of headphones. Dylan noted, "I think we need more forward-thinking, outside-the-box solutions to getting recognition for candidates."
Our discussion naturally transitioned to the topic of voting methods. Dylan is a strong advocate for approval voting, which he believes offers a more accurate reflection of voter preferences compared to the current plurality system. "Approval voting is essentially asking what's your approval of this person, and then the candidate with the highest approval rating wins," he explained. This approach, he argues, is simpler and more effective than the traditional methods currently in place.
Dylan's decision to run for mayor is deeply personal and driven by his experiences and background. Born in Los Angeles but with deep family roots in San Francisco, Dylan has spent over a decade in the city. His career at Tesla taught him the importance of efficiency and innovation, skills he hopes to bring to city governance. "I think I have a skill set that's pretty unique," Dylan said, highlighting his quantitative background and experience in technology.
A significant part of Dylan's platform is Universal Basic Income (UBI). He proposes starting with $1,000 a month for every San Francisco resident. "San Francisco's GDP per capita is about $300,000 per person, so there's a vast concentration of wealth and productivity in this region," he explained. Dylan believes that a UBI could address various social issues, from crime to education outcomes, by providing a safety net for all residents.
Dylan also discussed the concept of social housing, drawing inspiration from successful models in Vienna and Singapore. He explained, "Social housing is universally available and doesn't involve means testing, which reduces administrative costs and barriers to access." This approach, Dylan argues, can help address the housing crisis in San Francisco by providing affordable housing options for people at all income levels.
The conversation then shifted to the practical challenges of implementing UBI at the city level. Dylan acknowledged potential issues, such as people moving to San Francisco solely to receive the income, but he believes that these can be mitigated through thoughtful planning and robust economic policies.
One of Dylan's key critiques of the current city administration is the lack of a cohesive plan to tackle homelessness and other systemic issues. He cited his support for the Glide Foundation and its former CEO, who emphasized the need for a coordinated strategy. "We don't have a plan. No one's coordinating all of these well-meaning organizations," Dylan noted.
Dylan's vision for San Francisco includes bringing more city services in-house to reduce costs and increase efficiency. He drew parallels with Tesla's vertical integration strategy, which allows for better control and faster innovation. "We should have a very well-functioning city government that people are proud of," he said, emphasizing the need for capable and motivated city employees.
Throughout the interview, Dylan's passion for public service and his commitment to innovative solutions were evident. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic about the potential for meaningful change. "If anyone can propel San Francisco into the 21st century, it's someone like me who has been at the forefront of some of the bleeding-edge technologies," he asserted.
As we wrapped up the conversation, Dylan shared how people can support his campaign. While he is reluctant to focus on fundraising, he encourages supporters to spread the word within their networks. "Something as little as seven to ten friends reaching out to their friends can make a huge difference," he explained.
Dylan's candidacy represents a fresh perspective and a commitment to evidence-based policies. His approach to governance, rooted in efficiency and innovation, could offer the transformative change that San Francisco needs. For more information about Dylan's campaign and to explore his detailed policy proposals, visit his website at votedylan.com.