Corrections, Clarifications and updates for the book
Corrections, clarifictions (please make us aware of other points that need to addressed at www.davidyarnold.com):
Chapter two
- The Census tool that Jesus Garcia used was the American Community Survey.
- Jesus’ spouse is Alejandra Garcia.
- Jesus Garcia’s father, along with five siblings — all American citizens — were deported to Mexico as young children.
- Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace is approximately five miles from California State University/Bakersfield.
Chapter three
- “Tish” Long was the first director of one of the major American intelligence agencies.
- Robert Cardillo was wearing a purple smoking jacket when we met.
Updates: Geography of Hope chapters in the news
The subject areas in The Geography of Hope continue to be in the headlines. Since the book went to print in April, here are some notable updates. (Caution, may contain spoilers.)
- Tim Walz. A geography teacher by training, Walz uses a portfolio of GIS tools to manage Minnesota. From locating neighborhoods with lead pipes to tracking citizens who are eligible for tax breaks, Walz uses GIS maps to build trust through transparency. He said, “(Maps) let us envision the world we want to see — really, they let us envision the world we need to see.”
- Can you get homeowners insurance? (Chapter five.) From California to Florida to Texas and across the United States, the ability to get homeowners insurance has become a front-burner issue. In California, State Farm and others played chicken with the state insurance regulators, demanding the ability to set higher rates. The insurers want to be able to use models to set rates (those would be the same GIS-based models we’ve written about) and the cost of reinsurance, both topics we cover.
- Deadly explosives, everywhere (Chapter eight): An August headline in The NY Times: “Not Only for Killing: Drones Are Now Detecting Land Mines in Ukraine.” Robot dogs, drones, AI — all coming together to detect the deadly debris of war. Also, the government of Switzerland in July asked for bids to remove rotting explosives from its pristine lakes. While Swiss neutrality is famous, the Swiss were armed up for conflict during WWI, WWII and the Cold War. When they wanted to dispose of ammo, they dumped it in their lovely lakes. (That was a good idea?)
- Geosite (featured in Chapter five) was acquired in March by Descartes Labs, a major GIS services company. I hope everyone at Geosite made a bundle.
- Fair lines in Bakersfield (Chapter two): It turns out we not only captured the pivotal moment when the city council flipped, but we caught the beginning of a wave of change. Three districts are on the ballot in November. A generational shift is certain to happen. And, Bakersfield, of all places, will likely have a moderate to progressive majority. Here’s looking at you in your home district, Kevin McCarthy.
