☆ Year in review: Where leading and aspiring local pols find their inspirations (4/5)
Johannes Vermeer: The Astronomer, 1668. Image by Wikimedia Commons
For the latest in our exclusive Opp Now series about the media that most impacts Silicon Valley movers and shakers, we check in with candidates and influential thinkers from around the Valley, and find a vast constellation of differing, compelling, and intriguing books, songs, podcasts, and videos.
Greg Tanaka, Palo Alto councilmember and Congressional D16 candidate:
In 2023, “The All-In Podcast” has been a significant source of inspiration and insight for me. As a current member of the Palo Alto City Council and a U.S. Congressional District 16 candidate, the candid discussions on technology, finance, and politics offered by industry leaders on the podcast have been immensely valuable. Their deep dives into the dynamics of Silicon Valley, market trends, and policy implications resonate with my work and aspirations. This podcast has provided me with a broader perspective, influencing my approach to governance with an emphasis on innovation and pragmatic solutions.
Michael Mulcahy, San Jose City Council D6 candidate:
I have been a U2 fan most of my life. This year, I followed their journey to revisit songs with a new album, refining famous lyrical phrases with hindsight and experience that allows them to finish the thoughts on war, peace, and everything in between. Bono’s book, “Songs of Surrender,” is the audio version he narrates about this retooling. He talks of growing up in Dublin and how the band reflects the rise of Dublin and Ireland over the last 50 years. He talks about his faith juxtaposed to being a famous rock star and how that tension nearly broke up the band a few times over.
Alex Shoor, San Jose City Council D6 candidate:
The HBO miniseries "Show Me a Hero" features the true story of building affordable housing in 1980s Yonkers, NY.
I watched it for the second time, and my perspective completely changed. The first time I saw it, I assumed the "hero" was the elected official who gradually backed housing and integration.
Yet after a second viewing, I realized the true hero was the community advocate who first opposed affordable housing before eventually transforming into a proponent. Her conversion occurred through participating in the community engagement process. She saw its benefits while forming friendships with her new neighbors.
Tam Truong, San Jose City Council D8 candidate:
As a father, my entertainment choices have undergone a delightful transformation, shaped by the infectious enthusiasm of my children. From animated movies that transport us to magical worlds to family-friendly TV shows that spark shared laughter, their joy becomes my own. Our cozy movie nights are filled with animated adventures and heartwarming tales. Likewise, the soundtrack of our daily lives is a harmonious blend of catchy tunes from their favorite shows, creating a soundtrack of cherished moments. Through their eyes, I've discovered the timeless magic of storytelling, and our shared cultural experiences enrich our bond in ways words can't capture.
Nooran Bayzaie, San Jose City Council D10 candidate:
In regards to media that I consumed this year, the most thought-provoking are books. I read Thomas Hobbes' “Leviathan” earlier this year. It's important for people to educate themselves on a variety of viewpoints even if they don't necessarily agree with them so that the individual can take away knowledge from where the author may be erroneous or radical. I personally find the writings of past philosophers to be very interesting, especially when I'm able to decipher what it is that justifies their extreme points-of-view. It's important that today's society reads the writings of authors from Adam Smith to Friedrich Engels.
Lenka Wright, San Jose City Council D10 candidate:
The most impactful book I read this year was “In the Time of the Butterflies.” The historical fiction novel by Julia Alvarez is based on the real lives of the Mirabal sisters, who were part of a resistance movement against brutal dictator Rafael Trujillo, who ruled the Dominican Republic for over 30 years.
This book resonated with me beyond the Dominican ties to my mother’s family. I was captivated by the heroic sisters—known as the Butterflies—who decided to do something despite the personal costs of pursuing freedom.
Rene Spring, Morgan Hill councilmember:
In late 2022, I had the huge honor to facilitate a fire-chat talk with Judy and Dennis Shepard of the Matthew Shepard Foundation and to spend some time with them. A few weeks later, I received a signed copy from Judy of her book “The Meaning of a Matthew: My Son’s Murder In Laramie,” which I read several times this year. The book is so well written, very personal and heartbreaking! My talks with the amazing Judy and Dennis, as well as reading the book, reaffirmed to me how critical it is that we continue the fight for our LGBTQIA+ community’s fight for equal rights, against hate crimes and bullying.
Tom Cline, Gilroy councilmember:
As we are amid another Christmas season, it’s good to step back and reflect on this moment. It is a time of wonderment when we think about all that was wrapped up in those swaddling clothes of the baby Jesus; the angels were in awe, drawing the shepherds in to view, the wise men bowed in humble adoration with gifts to the new king; He brought to us a promise of hope, of life, of mercy and grace. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
Elizabeth Brierly, Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association board member:
I’m always intrigued when I find powerful, effective ways in which people have conveyed their ideas or views. This year, it was songs that filled the bill.
The popularity of “Rich Men North of Richmond” (Oliver Anthony) impressed me, and its calling out of statist politicians and their shameful monetary inflation: “…your dollar ain’t [worth anything],* and it’s taxed to no end.” What a comfort that reassurance can be, that we’re not alone in our frustration.
As a recent victim of theft, “Try That in a Small Town” (Jason Aldean) had me yearning to escape San Jose for my cousin’s tight-knit community in Kansas. The song warns bad guys, “ ’Round here we take care of our own / You cross that line, it won't take long / for you to find out.” I laughed aloud at the cheeky follow-on, “I recommend you don’t.”
The song that resonated most for me was “Politicians Say” (Carla Howell): “Politicians say their programs make things better… They say it’s for your welfare, then tax at every turn.” Its upbeat tempo, perhaps satirical given the somewhat disheartening topic, made me wonder whether the ballot arguments I help write might be more persuasive, if only they were set to a catchy tune inducing registered voters to dance.
* I’ve had to paraphrase, for the sake of, well, propriety.
Brian Holtz, Santa Clara County Libertarian Party secretary and Purissima Hills Water District director:
The article that most influenced me this year was from the blog Volokh Conspiracy by Ilya Somin: The Demand for Political Misinformation is a Bigger Danger than the Supply. You only have to read the title to agree with this profound yet obvious insight. I saw the article mentioned in a discussion about the danger of misinformation generated by AI, but the article itself is from April 2022—half a year before ChatGPT. This shows the power and generality of the article's insight: for most domains of human activity, demand dominates supply.
Demand is Adam Smith's "invisible hand", and so most people blindly fixate on the visible handle of supply. Because they are blind to the invisible hand of demand, they are dumbfounded by the government's failures at manhandling supply. Libertarians see this pattern everywhere, and once you see it, you can't unsee it.
Libertarians understand that governments should not try to dictate the visible handle of supply. Instead, they should just police the invisible hand of demand, by protecting informed consenting adults from fraud and initiation of force. When markets are free from force, fraud, subsidy, and edicts, then informed consenting adults will coordinate and cooperate for their mutual benefit.
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