In this reflective episode, Billy Riggs and Vipul Vyas review the key themes and insights from their first 16 episodes of 'Rewiring the American Edge.' They discuss the importance of American cities as economic engines, the impact of automation and AI on labor, the concept of universal basic infrastructure, and the need for cities to adapt to global challenges. The conversation highlights the necessity for innovation and governance in maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.

Takeaways

• American cities are crucial for national competitiveness.
• The American edge is defined by global influences.
• Automation and AI can create new job opportunities.
• Universal basic infrastructure is essential for community wealth.
• Cities need flexibility to adapt to external pressures.
• Trust and governance are vital for city functionality.
• Innovation drives workforce education and adaptation.
• Global competition requires cities to be nimble and proactive.
• The pacing problem of technology versus governance is significant.
• Reflecting on past episodes helps identify future directions.

Soundbites

• Billy Riggs: “What makes America a global competitor is that it is everything global about America — being open to trade, to immigration, to new ideas and new people.”
• Billy Riggs: “This edge is not fixed. It’s shifting. And if any city wants to compete, you’ve got to stay nimble, you’ve got to educate yourself, you’ve got to be imaginative.”
• Vipul Vyas: “American cities are our economic locomotives. If they’re anything less than optimally functioning, we as a country are not going to be very competitive.”
• Billy Riggs: “Cities are laboratories. They’re where innovation collides with everyday life.”
• Billy Riggs: “Automation isn’t just a net job eliminator. It’s a growth engine — it creates jobs, it doesn’t contract them.”
• Vipul Vyas: “Universal basic infrastructure is a form of wealth. Roads, sidewalks, schools — these are things that make us all better off, even if we don’t put a dollar figure on them.”
• Billy Riggs: “The pacing problem is real — technology moves much faster than the wheels of government.”
• Billy Riggs: “Trust and governance have to exist. That’s the glue.”
• Vipul Vyas: “Our cities have to compete. That’s the new world.”
• Billy Riggs: “We weren’t sure we’d keep this podcast going, but the response has been incredible. We’re getting questions from the Netherlands, Ireland, Hong Kong — this is a global conversation.”

Chapters
00:00 - Reflecting on Episodes & Insights
02:27 - The Role of American Cities in Global Competition
04:18 - Automation, Innovation, and the Future of Work
06:51 - Universal Basic Infrastructure and Economic Implications
09:00 - Navigating Geopolitical Tensions and Academic Freedom
11:19 - Urban Planning and the Future of Cities
13:26 - AI Policy and the Pacing Problem
15:42 - Key Themes and Future Directions

In this episode, the Billy Riggs and Vipul Vyas explore the intersection of blockchain technology and urban planning with expert Justin Hollander. They discuss how blockchain can enhance community engagement, streamline public processes, and even influence future city planning on Mars. The conversation delves into the challenges of governance in space communities and makes bold predictions about the future of blockchain in urban design.

Takeaways

• Blockchain can revolutionize urban planning by enhancing community engagement.
• Current public participation methods in planning are often ineffective.
• Decentralization in blockchain allows for more transparent community input.
• Smart contracts can automate and streamline planning processes.
• Urban planners need to adapt to new technologies like blockchain.
• The future of cities may involve planning for extraterrestrial environments.
• Governance in space will require clear processes and transparency.
• Blockchain can help track the flow of funds in urban projects.
• Polymarket could provide valuable insights for urban planning.
• Innovative applications of blockchain can address inefficiencies in city management.

Sound Bites

• Blockchain offers a different way—input that’s decentralized, immutable, and transparent. Nobody owns it, nobody can erase it.” — Justin Hollander
• “Imagine your zoning data, permit applications, and environmental reviews all on a single distributed ledger—no delays, no mysterious queues, just transparency.” — Billy Riggs
• “With blockchain, cities can finally follow the money—where it flows, how it’s spent, and whether it actually reaches the people it was meant for.” — Vipul Vyas
• “SFLuv is like a dollar wrapped in local paper. Keep it local and you’re rewarded—earn it locally, spend it locally, grow your community.” — Billy Riggs
• “What do you think about a DAO for Mars? Governance managed through smart contracts might be the way we avoid dystopian futures in space.” — Justin Hollander
• “I just have one word for you: Polymarket. Transparent, decentralized betting markets could transform how planners forecast the future.” — Justin Hollander
• “By 2035, I think we’ll see blockchain IDs for transit, food, housing credits, even your driver’s license.” — Billy Riggs

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Blockchain and Urban Planning

04:37 - The Role of Blockchain in Urban Planning

10:02 - Public Engagement and Blockchain

14:00 - Blockchain's Impact on Urban Infrastructure

17:59 - Local Currencies and Community Engagement

22:25 - Thinking Beyond Earth: Urban Planning on Mars

28:58 - Governance in Space Communities

33:41 - Predictions for Blockchain and Space Design

Additional Resources

PAS 99: Blockchain for Planners:

https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/publication/download_pdf/PAS-QuickNotes-99.pdf

Blockchain and Distributed Autonomous Community Ecosystems: Opportunities to Democratize Finance and Delivery of Transport, Housing, Urban Greening and Community Infrastructure

https://transweb.sjsu.edu/research/2165-Blockchain-Financial-Ecosystem-Infrastructure

SFLuv Coin: Empowering Merchants, Empowering Communities

https://sfluv.org/

The First City on Mars: An Urban Planner’s Guide to Settling the Red Planet
https://www.amazon.com/First-City-Mars-Planners-Settling/dp/3031075277

Planning the Red Planet, Planning Magazine

https://www.planning.org/planning/2025/may/planning-the-red-planet/

This conversation explores the evolving landscape of education and the necessity of lifelong learning in the context of rapid technological advancements and changing workforce demands. Co-hosts Billy Riggs and Vipul Vyas discuss the importance of aligning educational outcomes with industry needs, the potential for decentralization in the workforce, and the challenges faced by existing educational institutions in adapting to these changes. They emphasize the urgency of addressing these issues to maintain global competitiveness and the role of micro-credentials in modern education.

Takeaways

• Lifelong learning is essential for career success.
• The future of work requires alignment between education and industry needs.
• Micro-credentials may provide a solution to outdated educational models.
• Decentralization could democratize access to education and job opportunities.
• Existing institutions may struggle to innovate due to their established structures.
• Global competition necessitates a focus on upskilling the workforce.
• AI has the potential to change the landscape of job creation.
• Education must adapt quickly to keep pace with technological advancements.
• The cost of education is becoming a barrier for many Americans.
• There is a risk of falling behind in global innovation if changes are not made.

Sound Bites

• "Upskilling our workforce will define American competitiveness on the global level.” — Billy Riggs
• “Bootcamps used to be for coders. Now they’re for prompt engineers.” — Vipul Vyas
• “AI could democratize the means of production—or accelerate inequality. It depends on how we use it.” — Vipul Vyas
• “We’re training people for yesterday’s jobs while industries are moving ahead three steps faster.” — Billy Riggs
• “Unless we invest in education and training, we risk falling behind not just in AI but across the global economy.” — Billy Riggs

Chapters

00:00 - Building a Smarter Workforce

06:51 - The Future of Work and Lifelong Learning

13:39 - Aligning Education with Industry Needs

17:04 - Global Workforce Dynamics and Competition

20:43 - The Urgency for Educational Reform

22:39 - The Importance of Lifelong Learning

25:13 - Aligning Education with Workforce Needs

26:17 - The Future of Learning and Adaptation

Additional Resources
Gauntlet AI Bootcamp: https://www.gauntletai.com/

NYTimes Goodbye, $165,000 Tech Jobs. Student Coders Seek Work at Chipotle: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/technology/coding-ai-jobs-students.html