Chris Oates
@chrisoates.bsky.social
Civic tech and making government accessible to policy professionals and #COYS
Pinned
Chris Oates
@chrisoates.bsky.social
· Nov 18
mapoli bluesky electeds
docs.google.com
The starter packs are great, but I'm trying to combine a list of all #mapoli electeds on Bluesky and was hoping a good old fashioned crowdsourced Google sheet might be easier since so many are joining.
Please add anyone who the voters put into office here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Please add anyone who the voters put into office here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Saw a journalist tout an AI feature on LinkedIn and say that it works because "it's magic."
NO!
It's an API call to OpenAI or Anthropic's latest LLM model. That has benefits but also big limitations, and if you don't lead with that, your readers may very well be led astray
NO!
It's an API call to OpenAI or Anthropic's latest LLM model. That has benefits but also big limitations, and if you don't lead with that, your readers may very well be led astray
November 24, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Saw a journalist tout an AI feature on LinkedIn and say that it works because "it's magic."
NO!
It's an API call to OpenAI or Anthropic's latest LLM model. That has benefits but also big limitations, and if you don't lead with that, your readers may very well be led astray
NO!
It's an API call to OpenAI or Anthropic's latest LLM model. That has benefits but also big limitations, and if you don't lead with that, your readers may very well be led astray
Looking to make this into a bit more of an entertaining place for #mapoli. Quote tweet or reply with a fun fact about politics, politicians, or government here.
I'll start. The last time a mayor of Boston lost re-election when running, it was 1949 and the incumbent had spent 5 months in jail
I'll start. The last time a mayor of Boston lost re-election when running, it was 1949 and the incumbent had spent 5 months in jail
November 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Looking to make this into a bit more of an entertaining place for #mapoli. Quote tweet or reply with a fun fact about politics, politicians, or government here.
I'll start. The last time a mayor of Boston lost re-election when running, it was 1949 and the incumbent had spent 5 months in jail
I'll start. The last time a mayor of Boston lost re-election when running, it was 1949 and the incumbent had spent 5 months in jail
Is AI the next threat vector for democracy? I think yes.
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/what-if-ai...
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/what-if-ai...
What if AI tells us how to vote?
The next fight for misinformation
massachusettsdigest.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Is AI the next threat vector for democracy? I think yes.
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/what-if-ai...
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/what-if-ai...
Can’t recommend cricket enough to Americans suffering baseball withdrawal. England v Australia starting now has 5 matches, 5 days each, and England may have already blown it.
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Can’t recommend cricket enough to Americans suffering baseball withdrawal. England v Australia starting now has 5 matches, 5 days each, and England may have already blown it.
Getting a duck to start the ashes has to be one of the worst feelings in sport. You travel around the world for this, wait more than two years for it, and you’re out in 3 minutes.
November 21, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Getting a duck to start the ashes has to be one of the worst feelings in sport. You travel around the world for this, wait more than two years for it, and you’re out in 3 minutes.
Great reporting from @jenndotsmith.bsky.social and Chris Lisinski. But I can't help but think that this is happening because our policy process in the state is in some ways broken. Ballot questions are inherently blunt instruments
commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/the...
commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/the...
‘They're making a huge bet’: Rent control referendum splits progressives - CommonWealth Beacon
If a campaign to instate rent control across the Commonwealth makes it to the ballot, voters will need to weigh whether every municipality should adopt a measure more stringent than earlier attempts b...
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Great reporting from @jenndotsmith.bsky.social and Chris Lisinski. But I can't help but think that this is happening because our policy process in the state is in some ways broken. Ballot questions are inherently blunt instruments
commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/the...
commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/the...
Let’s give credit to the Democrats who voted to censure Chuy Garcia for robbing his constituents of a real election. It might not be the biggest news happening today but that kind of BS insidery games should be drummed out of politics.
November 19, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Let’s give credit to the Democrats who voted to censure Chuy Garcia for robbing his constituents of a real election. It might not be the biggest news happening today but that kind of BS insidery games should be drummed out of politics.
Great coverage by @gintautasd.bsky.social on public funds for the World Cup, and issue that could have slipped through the crack.
The consensus from the parents at soccer practice was that the prices are too high for any of us to go. So why is my government spending money on it?
The consensus from the parents at soccer practice was that the prices are too high for any of us to go. So why is my government spending money on it?
November 18, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Great coverage by @gintautasd.bsky.social on public funds for the World Cup, and issue that could have slipped through the crack.
The consensus from the parents at soccer practice was that the prices are too high for any of us to go. So why is my government spending money on it?
The consensus from the parents at soccer practice was that the prices are too high for any of us to go. So why is my government spending money on it?
Look like FIFA has got ahead of this threat for the World Cup by pricing the tickets as absurdly expensive to begin with
November 17, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Look like FIFA has got ahead of this threat for the World Cup by pricing the tickets as absurdly expensive to begin with
Reposted by Chris Oates
My piece on the next big threat to American democracy was published yesterday by @cwbeacon.bsky.social
Fingers crossed I’m being a Chicken Little but I don’t think I am
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/what...
Fingers crossed I’m being a Chicken Little but I don’t think I am
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/what...
What if AI tells us how to vote? - CommonWealth Beacon
With a little coaxing, ChatGPT chose my candidates. This feels like the next disinformation front in politics.
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
My piece on the next big threat to American democracy was published yesterday by @cwbeacon.bsky.social
Fingers crossed I’m being a Chicken Little but I don’t think I am
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/what...
Fingers crossed I’m being a Chicken Little but I don’t think I am
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/what...
Multiple parents at my son’s soccer practice talked about trying to get tickets for the World Cup and then choosing not to because of the high ticket prices.
Not sure what FIFA’s plan is, but if people can’t afford to go to the games, what’s the point of having them in places with fans?
Not sure what FIFA’s plan is, but if people can’t afford to go to the games, what’s the point of having them in places with fans?
November 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Multiple parents at my son’s soccer practice talked about trying to get tickets for the World Cup and then choosing not to because of the high ticket prices.
Not sure what FIFA’s plan is, but if people can’t afford to go to the games, what’s the point of having them in places with fans?
Not sure what FIFA’s plan is, but if people can’t afford to go to the games, what’s the point of having them in places with fans?
My piece on the next big threat to American democracy was published yesterday by @cwbeacon.bsky.social
Fingers crossed I’m being a Chicken Little but I don’t think I am
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/what...
Fingers crossed I’m being a Chicken Little but I don’t think I am
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/what...
What if AI tells us how to vote? - CommonWealth Beacon
With a little coaxing, ChatGPT chose my candidates. This feels like the next disinformation front in politics.
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
My piece on the next big threat to American democracy was published yesterday by @cwbeacon.bsky.social
Fingers crossed I’m being a Chicken Little but I don’t think I am
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/what...
Fingers crossed I’m being a Chicken Little but I don’t think I am
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/what...
Yesterday the Joint Committee on Econ Dev had a remarkable hearing on gambling, including this even more remarkable testimony from Sen John Keenan
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/has-gambli...
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/has-gambli...
November 14, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Yesterday the Joint Committee on Econ Dev had a remarkable hearing on gambling, including this even more remarkable testimony from Sen John Keenan
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/has-gambli...
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/has-gambli...
Slightly random question for the #mapoli crowd. In a feed of press releases, would you rather a format of Name - Title, Name: Title, or [Name] Title?
Example of the first option below
Example of the first option below
November 13, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Slightly random question for the #mapoli crowd. In a feed of press releases, would you rather a format of Name - Title, Name: Title, or [Name] Title?
Example of the first option below
Example of the first option below
Could be correlation and not causation, but the people I’ve seen who talk the most about IQ are not the ones whose intelligence seems like it has a high quotient
November 13, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Could be correlation and not causation, but the people I’ve seen who talk the most about IQ are not the ones whose intelligence seems like it has a high quotient
But she is correct. The voters of that district deserve a choice.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez shocked and dismayed colleagues today with a rogue effort to condemn retiring Rep. Chuy García for effectively ensuring his chief of staff would succeed him in Congress.
Chaos erupts on House floor as Democrat moves to condemn fellow party member
Gluesenkamp Perez was told by fellow Democrats, "You don't need to do this right now."
www.axios.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:14 AM
But she is correct. The voters of that district deserve a choice.
If you work in comms in #mapoli public policy, would love to get your thoughts on a new statements feed I'm building.
Would you rather:
- Load press releases yourself and tag them with bills and legislators mentioned
- Add an email to your distro list and hope auto-detection works?
Would you rather:
- Load press releases yourself and tag them with bills and legislators mentioned
- Add an email to your distro list and hope auto-detection works?
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
If you work in comms in #mapoli public policy, would love to get your thoughts on a new statements feed I'm building.
Would you rather:
- Load press releases yourself and tag them with bills and legislators mentioned
- Add an email to your distro list and hope auto-detection works?
Would you rather:
- Load press releases yourself and tag them with bills and legislators mentioned
- Add an email to your distro list and hope auto-detection works?
The deal stems from the fact that the Senate D caucus is not unified on what the shutdown was meant to do. Was it:
- gambit to pressure Republicans to cave on health care
- leverage to force Trump to follow appropriations
- allay base voters with signs of fight
- gambit to pressure Republicans to cave on health care
- leverage to force Trump to follow appropriations
- allay base voters with signs of fight
November 10, 2025 at 1:21 AM
The deal stems from the fact that the Senate D caucus is not unified on what the shutdown was meant to do. Was it:
- gambit to pressure Republicans to cave on health care
- leverage to force Trump to follow appropriations
- allay base voters with signs of fight
- gambit to pressure Republicans to cave on health care
- leverage to force Trump to follow appropriations
- allay base voters with signs of fight
This week in #mapoli: baby bonds, judicial safety, and IDs for homeless youth.
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
From Baby Bonds to Judicial Safety
Wide ranging week in mapoli
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM
This week in #mapoli: baby bonds, judicial safety, and IDs for homeless youth.
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
I'm planning a #mapoli feed in legislata.com to help capture a little bit of the value the old Twitter had in keeping us up to date with events in gov't and politics.
What are the things you'd like to see in that? Daily update of news articles? Events? Shared press releases? Let me know!
What are the things you'd like to see in that? Daily update of news articles? Events? Shared press releases? Let me know!
November 6, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I'm planning a #mapoli feed in legislata.com to help capture a little bit of the value the old Twitter had in keeping us up to date with events in gov't and politics.
What are the things you'd like to see in that? Daily update of news articles? Events? Shared press releases? Let me know!
What are the things you'd like to see in that? Daily update of news articles? Events? Shared press releases? Let me know!
It’s good politicians are doing streams to seem relatable, but when will a Senate candidate do a season of Football Manager and we can finally vote for someone who can win the Prem without a 4-2-3-1 gegenpress. @michaelcaley.bsky.social can this become an NKD litmus test?
November 6, 2025 at 1:31 AM
It’s good politicians are doing streams to seem relatable, but when will a Senate candidate do a season of Football Manager and we can finally vote for someone who can win the Prem without a 4-2-3-1 gegenpress. @michaelcaley.bsky.social can this become an NKD litmus test?
With city and town officials elected last night across #mapoli, a reminder that Legislata has AI-generated transcripts of about 30+ municipalities, available for free for journalists and gov't employees. If your city isn't there, let me know and I'll try to add it.
app.legislata.com/posts/267324...
app.legislata.com/posts/267324...
November 5, 2025 at 4:23 PM
With city and town officials elected last night across #mapoli, a reminder that Legislata has AI-generated transcripts of about 30+ municipalities, available for free for journalists and gov't employees. If your city isn't there, let me know and I'll try to add it.
app.legislata.com/posts/267324...
app.legislata.com/posts/267324...
Something may have gone wrong in the off-ball positioning in my football match engine
November 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Something may have gone wrong in the off-ball positioning in my football match engine
How long until the "what this race means for the nation" for the Somerville City Council at-large seats?
November 4, 2025 at 7:37 PM
How long until the "what this race means for the nation" for the Somerville City Council at-large seats?
What in the world does that first sentence mean? Not to pick on the social media editor but that is not how you phrase "it's election day and one candidate looks very likely to win"
The high drama of New York's mayoral race continues and all roads lead to Zohran Mamdani.
But the Democratic Party is still conflicted about whether to embrace the frontrunner or keep him at arm’s length.
🎧 We discuss this pivotal election on #playbookpod: pod.link/1169056746/e...
But the Democratic Party is still conflicted about whether to embrace the frontrunner or keep him at arm’s length.
🎧 We discuss this pivotal election on #playbookpod: pod.link/1169056746/e...
November 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
What in the world does that first sentence mean? Not to pick on the social media editor but that is not how you phrase "it's election day and one candidate looks very likely to win"