Open Tech 2005

Open Tech 2005 took place in London this weekend.

Last year's forum focused on unexpected uses of technology; this year's was more focused on online activism with a particular focus on copyright issues with forums featuring, for example, Cory Doctorow, European Affairs Coordinator for the Electronic Frontiers Foundation.

Ted Nelson (inventor of hypertext) gave an overview of the development of computer software. At one point he noted that computer software in it's current form was the result of "psychological concessions to what we are used to rather than what we need" and at another that "today's computer world is based on trekkie misunderstandings of human thought and human life"




Ted's regret is that computer software has evolved to simulate paper rather than becoming something much more useful and empowering. I found this insight really interesting in relation to debates over kids' use of digital media. See also Kevin Kelly's article in Wired Magazine - he reports on Ted and his vision of hypertext.


Key phrases:
geeking out (waaay to much geek-speak)

passive aggressive modification (what IT people do to you when you you want something and they don't care)

Key fashion:
the UTILITY KILT was the must-have male fashion item.