Robert Levitan @robertlevitan - Tumblr Blog

The Best Map of New York City

You’ve never seen a map like this because there has never been one.

I am pleased to announce that the Live XYZ map is available for public download in the App Store. (Or visit www.live.xyz)

Live captures the pulse of New York - showing what’s happening all around you and changing by time of day.

What you can do at 12 noon in Union Square is different than what you can do at 8pm. Finally, there is a map that can show you the world of possibilities around you - on every corner and at all hours of the day (and night).

You will find more than 120,000 locations on this map of New York- more than are visible on any other map. You can search by time, by locations, or by events. You can even search the future.

You will find previously undiscoverable things you love to do in the neighborhood where you live or work. You will discover places to go and things to do in neighborhoods you never knew.

New York is a living city, teaming with possibilities. It deserves a Live map that unlocks the richness of urban life.

There has never been a map of New York like this. Test drive Live for yourself and please share feedback with us. Thank you.

Local Gets Even Hotter

Google and Facebook recently revealed new initiatives for local news and events.

Google announced Bulletin, a new app that allows anyone to publish local news stories and events.

According to the Bulletin website, “Bulletin is an app for contributing hyperlocal stories about your community, for your community, right from your phone. Bulletin makes it effortless to put a spotlight on inspiring stories that aren’t being told.”

Facebook announced they will feature more local news stories in people’s news feeds.

“Starting today, we’re going to show more stories from news sources in your local town or city,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg says in a post announcing the latest change to his company’s News Feed.

Time will tell how successful these efforts by Google and Facebook will be; but one thing is clear: both companies are placing more chips on local. Why? Because even in a connected world where anyone in any location is just a click away from you, what’s happening all around you is still the most compelling content.

Sign of the Times- a thoughtful speech worth watching and thinking about

Maps Matter

Now more than ever.

Maps are important. They reflect our knowledge and our history. Most of all, maps help us find our way (literally and figuratively).

Reflecting on the history of maps is informative. Pondering the future of maps is exhilarating. I have been doing this for the past few years and will share even more thoughts on this topic soon.

One thing is clear: the history of maps and map making (cartography) is directly linked to technology development. New technologies lead to the development of new tools which lead to better maps.

The technology to make maps is continuing to improve and is also being democratized. Open source mapping platforms such as Open Street Map and powerful tools such as Mapbox have sparked an explosion of innovative map making.

Because smartphones are pre-loaded with maps, more people are carrying a map with them (and more people are using maps) than ever before. And these maps would blow the minds of the most accomplished world explorers of the not-too-distant past.

What’s next in cartography? The world around us is more complex with more information each day. While maps have historically helped people understand their physical position and how to navigate to other places (even across oceans and continents and to other planets); we now need a new kind of map to navigate through the clutter of information all around us in order to find what matters.

So here we go again- major advancements in big data, mobile computing and mapping tools will result in this new kind of map which will unlock a world of possibilities all around us. Get ready.

I took this photo and posted it on this blog in November 2014 on Rivington Street in NYC. I am re-posting it again now.

These words are sorely needed today.

Thank you @BarackObama for tweeting these words out in response to the events at Charlottesville, VA this past weekend.

There will be consequences

Often times technology advances at such a quick pace that we cannot fully understand the implications until we read an article such as this: Your Roomba May Be Mapping Your Home, Collecting Data That Could Be Sold

The Roomba 980 from iRobot, which was released in 2015. Some of the company’s robotic vacuums collect spatial data to map users’ homes. CreditiRobot, via Reuters

This story shines light on a situation where the technology for mapping and big data has advanced faster than we can understand the consequences. Kudos to journalists and media companies writing these insightful articles which require us all to stop and be thoughtful.

Wall in Soho, NYC with an important question

Perhaps the most important question of our time - how to discern the truth in a world with millions of content creators?

Healthy societies require citizens with factual knowledge.

The mass adoption of media creation tools is one of the powerful results of technology innovation during the past 40 years. From cable television to the internet to smart phones, the result has been an accelerating proliferation of content and content creators. In March of 2014, I wrote a post about this.

There is a torrent of new content and, counter-intuitively, each piece of content has more impact than ever because it can be amplified by networks.

In general, I believe the world is a better place with more people empowered to create content. Certainly, when it comes to artistic expression, the more voices the better. Creativity thrives when everyone has the tools and the freedom to express and share their own “truths” with others.

But what happens when it comes to reporting news, politics or historical information? Are more voices better? If you asked me that question in 1995 when I co-founded iVillage, an early pioneer of online communities, my answer would have been an unequivocal and enthusiastic YES!, of course more content from more people is better than having only a few content gatekeepers.

Today my answer is still Yes but it is tempered with the realization that not all sources are factual and technology has enabled people with malicious intent to spread hateful content and false information.

We have all read about fake news affecting elections. In addition, how fake news can target real people and businesses with potentially deadly consequences.

We cannot put the content genie back in the bottle. There will be more and more content creators. “The Network” will amplify all this content for better and for worse.

However, I am an optimist and I have faith in human evolution. Just as we have adapted and learned how to master the tools of digital content creation, I believe we will adapt and learn how to discern the truth in a noisy world with so many signals.

People will adapt how they process information. Businesses and governments will adjust policies and develop new procedures. Realizing the power of their content creation platform and the global reach of their network, Facebook is actively engaged in this effort now.

We are in a period of explosive content creation and simultaneous human adaptation to a networked, “always on” world. The rapid pace of technological change may have outpaced our initial cerebral and institutional response to it. Let’s hope we can adapt quickly and learn how to discern truth. Our future depends on it.

Networks and War

DARPA invented the Internet. Now Russia, China and others are leveraging it against the United States. Welcome to war in the 21st century.

Not so long ago, war involved physical battles with soldiers and weapons including guns, tanks and airplanes. Wars were fought to determine territorial borders, political systems, economic interests and social order.

In the networked world of today, these same wars are being fought but with a new weapon --- the network.

The hacking of corporate and government computer systems by the Chinese government and the Russian hacking of the DNC are examples of how to effectively wage war in the 21st century. China is using computer networks to gain economic advantage in ways much more effective than traditional warfare. Russia is using networks to influence elections in the United States in ways never before possible.

The power of networks is not just something nations can leverage. Terrorist organizations which cannot win a traditional war against the United States or other superpowers can use networks for recruiting fighters and for delivering their message quickly and directly to people all over the world.

We are just beginning to understand the social and economic effects of living in a networked world. Now we must try to understand the political and military effects. Next we must anticipate how to tactically respond to attacks against us via networks.

There are many ways to leverage networks against opponents. Three simple examples include using a network to disable an adversary’s computer systems; to steal information; and to disseminate false information. All of which have significant impact and can result in serious harm.

Let’s hope the leaders of the United States and other nations committed to a world of peace and prosperity for all understand the strategic importance of networks and how to leverage them. The future of our world depends on it.

Changing Cities

What are the long term effects of companies such as Airbnb and Uber on cities?

Some claim Airbnb hurts the hotel industry and the housing market in many cities. There is no doubt that Uber, Lyft and other similar services are impacting the taxi industry.

For city officials around the globe, the changing landscape of the hospitality and transportation industries present important policy issues. In particular, how best to balance the desire of citizens for these new services against the concerns of incumbent local business interests.

It is important to analyze and understand the short term and long term effects. Certainly there is a disruptive effect in the near term. But are the long term effects positive or negative? And what are the unintended or collateral consequences - both good and bad - that we cannot yet know but should be thinking about?

New Orleans is a good example of a city which attracts a large number of tourists and is experiencing a dramatic rise in Airbnb bookings. It seems that Airbnb and Uber have enabled tourists to stay in residential neighborhoods away from the downtown districts with hotels. Events such as Jazz Fest bring new economic activity to different parts of the city but there is much debate amongst residents as to whether this is good thing for their neighborhoods.

Technology will continue to enable new businesses which will change our cities. If I were a city official, I would think about the most beneficial / desired long term effects and explore ways to effectuate those results.

Chattanooga Gets It

In a networked economy, a great broadband infrastructure is smart economic policy.

More and more of our lives involve being connected to networks. Our work, our social life, our entertainment, our shopping, our food consumption and our transportation are all now reliant on network connections.

Not many political leaders understand the full importance of this. But the mayor of Chattanooga does and that city is starting to reap significant economic benefit as a result of their investment in broadband infrastructure.

You can read more about Chattanooga and Mayor Andy Berke here. The unemployment rate is dropping and real estate development is booming in Chattanooga. Even the New York Times has taken notice with this recent article.

Chattanooga is a relatively small city but the experience there is relevant elsewhere. Let’s hope that business and political leaders across the US and the world read these articles and understand them.

We cannot “un-network” the world. Nor should we. In fact, we should be working to realize the benefits inherent from the transition to a 21st century networked economy.

#@chattanoogafun

Pokemon Go Insights

Thoughts I posted on my twitter feed today:

The real world still matters. Virtual reality on top of real world places is a compelling experience.

Maps are always fun and informative. Maps are even more relevant when using mobile devices.

Good to see a video game creating engagement with real world places and with other people.

Fathers Day and LeBron James’ Thoughts on Leadership

At the interview session after the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA championship last night on Fathers Day, I found his answers about leadership the most interesting.

It was clear this was a man with tremendous will power and a clear sense of purpose. He was on a mission to bring a championship to Cleveland.

James talked about staying calm even though his team was down in the series three games to one. He said it was important as the leader of the team to project calm to his teammates.

And then there was an illusion to maintaining focus. He said that he stayed off social media during the playoffs. Yes, when you are on an important mission, you can have some control over what you let distract you.

And lastly, a sense of perspective. With his daughter sitting on his lap, James mentioned being around his children and even in the midst of wanting to win the title for Cleveland so badly, he could keep his perspective about what is most important. That was a very fitting comment on Fathers Day.

So here are some simple but important leadership takeaways from LeBron James last night: Have a sense of purpose, stay calm, keep focused, and maintain perspective.

A few shots of street/wall art in NYC

Living in a World of Possibilities

That’s why I still love being an entreprenuer.

Today I was reminded why I continue to start new companies and take risks that at times might seem incongruous with raising a family and aging.

In a meeting this morning, an accomplished entreprenuer who now leads a large organization was discussing the early days of his company and how much he enjoyed thinking about what was possible and then building it. This spoke to me.

Starting a business is difficult but it’s also fun, fulfilling and a priviledge to be an entrepreneur and live in a world of possibilities. I try not to take that for granted.

Best Career Advice Ever

How to find your sweet spot

A friend recently visited my office and decided to invest in my latest start-up company. This was not the purpose of his visit and I was a little surprised when he (literally) wrote a check right then and there and handed it to me.

He then said “I am going to tell you why I am making this investment”. Next, he went to the white board and drew three circles: one he labeled “Things people will PAY you for”; the next “Things you are GOOD at”; and the last “Things you LOVE”.

He filled in the area where the three circles overlapped. “You are operating right here at the intersection of these three circles. When I see someone there, I invest.”

Wow- sometimes your friends can see you better than you can see yourself. Others can see your strengths and weaknesses. They can sense when you are enjoying yourself. Without being involved in all the details, they can step back and assess your situation with a more objective perspective.

Obviously, I was happy that my friend wanted to invest in my company. More importantly, it felt great to confirm why I enjoy being an entrepreneur and why I am enjoying the work at my most recent start-up company so much.

His feedback was valuable to me and I want to share it because it may be the best career advice ever--- do something you are good at, something that has economic value (people will pay you for) and something you love. If you can discover that “Sweet Spot”, you are sure to be successful.

Sign of the Times...

I saw this poster on the bus yesterday. First I thought I was in the movie Back to the Future where I remember seeing Marty McFly use a hoverboard. The movie was made in 1985. Marty McFly travels back to 1955 and then at the end of the film to the future in 2015.

And so in 2105 we actually did have hoverboards (although slightly different than the ones in the movie). Looking at old Star Trek episodes, I have the same feeling when I see Captain Kirk using flip phone. It seemed so futuristic when the episodes were created but by the late 1990′s many of us had Motorola flip phones.

Are these examples of life imitating art or the other way around?

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Robert Levitan