Howdy Matt - will you build a Muslim registry if Trump orders it or Congress passes it?
Not sure why this was downvoted. It's a very valid question considering the times we live in.
Staying with the US Digital Service
11–20 of 251 posts
Re: Staying with the US Digital Service
#12Let me know if folks have any questions, but I left Google on Dec. 31, 2016.
Since you pitch the USDS to tech people, please let us know: how free do you feel to speak your mind on political matters, or to effect those positive outcomes? Personally I've judged the quality of incoming political appointees, and I would chafe at working under leadership I could not respect. In my worst imagination, I would be holding down a desk until it could be filled by the employees of well-connected contrac…
First I'll add the disclaimer that this is my personal opinion. I'm not speaking for anyone other than myself.
I think the mission of the US Digital Service is fundamentally non-partisan: we want to make government work better for the American people. When a veteran can apply for health benefits online, they have a better experience. But it also saves the money from them driving to see someone in person. There's so much work like that to do that everyone agrees will make the government better, more responsive, and more efficient.
I also think the USDS has built up some reputation and trust because of the good work that it's been able to do so far. I'm heartened when folks like Kevin McCarthy (majority leader in the House of Representatives) tweet things like this: https://twitter.com/gopleader/status/796823547343736837
At Google, I didn't always agree with what the CEO decided to do, like shutting down Google Reader. Sigh. But there was a ton of important work to do, and concentrating on the common ground made it possible to do really good things.
Re: Staying with the US Digital Service
#13I wonder how the USDS is different than the 18F? Seems like they both are doing the same thing, why not just merge them?
Re: Staying with the US Digital Service
#14Let me know if folks have any questions, but I left Google on Dec. 31, 2016.
I'm sure working for the US Digital Service is incredibly rewarding and much more so than perks like free lunches, but do you think offering free lunches will help reduce a common perception of 'bureaucracy' with government jobs?
Re: Staying with the US Digital Service
#15Let me know if folks have any questions, but I left Google on Dec. 31, 2016.
What are your thoughts on the theft of the entire contents of everyone's SF-86 from the OPM? I've had a security clearance in the past and all of my personal info was part of the data breach[1]. Incidents like this are one of the reasons why I would not work for the federal government again, except as contractor at much higher than standard federal scale pay rate. It's just not worth it in the personal hassle to go t…
Yup, my personal data was stolen in the OPM breach too, because I interned for the government when I was in college. But the USDS helped in the aftermath of the OPM breach. In fact, one of my first USDS projects after joining was a collaboration with 18F and the Dept. of Defense on a better version of the SF-86 and a more secure background investigation system. Without getting into weeds too much, there's lots of good work happening to make it easy to join the federal government or enlist in the military.
There is a background check process as part of joining USDS, but we keep looking at ways to make signing up easier, e.g. trying to make the process faster.
Re: Staying with the US Digital Service
#16Let me know if folks have any questions, but I left Google on Dec. 31, 2016.
No questions, just a compliment. After going through the USDS interview process and declining an offer, I have nothing but appreciation for those who serve there knowing what's involved to be selected, onboarded, and what the day to day looks like. Best of luck as your journey there continues.
I'll pass that feedback on--thank you!
Re: Staying with the US Digital Service
#17Howdy Matt - will you build a Muslim registry if Trump orders it or Congress passes it?
Not sure why this was downvoted. It's a very valid question considering the times we live in.
if not this person, someone else will. so it just boils down to asking what his personal political views are.
Re: Staying with the US Digital Service
#18Congrats Matt. It was a pleasure to meet you at the USDS ice cream social last fall. Today was my last day at 18F. I'm returning to private sector, for now.
I'm proud of what we accomplished in building cloud.gov. I think 2017 will be a big year for the platform.
Re: Staying with the US Digital Service
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
Since you pitch the USDS to tech people, please let us know: how free do you feel to speak your mind on political matters, or to effect those positive outcomes? Personally I've judged the quality of incoming political appointees, and I would chafe at working under leadership I could not respect. In my worst imagination, I would be holding down a desk until it could be filled by the employees of well-connected contrac…
First I'll add the disclaimer that this is my personal opinion. I'm not speaking for anyone other than myself. I think the mission of the US Digital Service is fundamentally non-partisan: we want to make government work better for the American people. When a veteran can apply for health benefits online, they have a better experience. But it also saves the money from them driving to see someone in person. There's so m…
> First I'll add the disclaimer that this is my personal opinion. I'm not speaking for anyone other than myself.
And there it is. One of many reasons I'll never work for the government again. The government is so PC-sensitive that dude can't even post on HN without a mildly disguised form of legalese. When I was in the Air Force, everything I said had to be prefaced with
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Air force, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
One might think this is a minor complaint but after years of death by 1,000 cuts, you just can't take it anymore.
Re: Staying with the US Digital Service
#20Let me know if folks have any questions, but I left Google on Dec. 31, 2016.
Best of luck Matt- I miss hearing you on the TWiT network, but I'm truly proud and inspired by the work you're doing. Continue to lead, and others will follow.
I'd love to get back to talk to Leo Laporte at some point--maybe when things quiet down a bit.