David Weinberger, a writer and fellow at the Harvard Berkman Center for Internet and Society is interviewed by Howard Greenstein about the theme of Change Networks for Supernova 2009. They discuss the concept of the Web “exceptionalism,” the idea that the Web, as opposed to some other media, is really a game-changing phenomenon. Continuing, they consider how things like the “End-to-End” principal make the Net different than other media, and how the hyperlink changes the book culture of the past.
In this part of the interview, we discover the third piece in which the web is exceptional – the ability to allow collaboration on a scale previously unprecedented. David and Howard also discuss the ways that networks connect us, and note the fact that there’s a need for new words to describe friends (because of the use of the word “friend” in social networking services) is yet another reason to consider the shift in our society that the web is causing. Finally the two discuss “Networks for Change,” specifically how the Obama administration’s shift towards transparency is changing how governments react to people.
In part two (see part one) of Kevin Werbach’s discussion with Howard Greenstein on the theme of Change Networks for Supernova 2009, the two discuss how self-organizing movements like the Obama campaign influenced the thinking around this year’s topics.
Kevin notes how Supernova 2009 is not just the conference, but also an ongoing community online, with discussion throughout the year. One topic Kevin mentions is “The Stream” – the idea of the increasingly real-time web and how our interactions with content and with each other are changing. His experience on the transition team for the Obama administration will certainly influence Supernova this year, as will ideas and cultural trends from many countries around the world.
Comments Off | Howard Greenstein | June 5th, 2009 | Video
Kevin Werbach and Howard Greenstein discuss the theme of Change Networks and other topics for the Supernova 2009 conference in this welcome video.
Kevin describes the way physical, social and societal networks are evolving, as well as the way that networks are being used for change. He also describes differences between Supernova and a ‘typical conference,’ noting that Supernova straddles a line between Business, Tech and Academia, with a partnership with the Wharton School.
