Valuing Social Change: Towards a Better World With Numbers →
“Have you ever donated to a charity and wondered what happened to your money? What if your donation was tracked and we could turn what was done with it into a social currency? In essence, what would the world be like if we could value social change? Why would we want to do this? Would “do-gooders” be more respected if there was a formal currency that valued their work? I try to answer these questions in my talk and to discuss what a future like that would look like.”
Allan Benamer will join us to talk abut this. You can read more at http://www.socialmarkets.org
Cheese, wine, and software? How software is crossing the artisanal divide. →
“Much like other mass mediums, software is moving from its establishment as a medium to creative exploration on top of an established tradition. Artisanal software is not only possible, but it’s here. Today.”
This one comes from Hillel Cooperman all the way from Seattle. Read more about him here: http://www.jacksonfish.com
Embracing Bastardization: what your reaction to Fan Fiction culture says about you. →
“Fan fiction culture, fascinating in it’s own right, also acts as a litmus test for mental elasticity in accepting deviations from the status quo.”
Amber Finlay’s blowing my mind with this one. I guess I’ll find out what she means at the event.
Find out more about her at http://bigsecretpizzaparty.typepad.com and Fan Fiction vocabulary at http://bigsecretpizzaparty.typepad.com/shhhh/2008/08/mary-sue-and-shipping.html
Fending oneself from a blogger →
“It’s a skill every digital citizen should possess. I will teach you everything you need to know in 15 minutes.”
Bryan Fuhr sent us this one. He can be found at http://www.akqa.com
How I Learned To Make Stuff on the Internet (and you can too) →
Noah Brier sends us this one:
“In March I taught myself PHP and I’m pretty sure there’s a few basic ideas of web programming that are worth sharing.”
To read more about Noah, visit http://www.noahbrier.com
Is Reader’s Digest right? Is laughter really the best medicine? →
“After a belly aching experience at a Mumbai Laughing Club, I’ve become a huge proponent of “dedicated” laughter. In today’s wintry economic climate, laughter is wonderful and free way to feel better. This talk will explore the psychology and physiology of laughter.”
Dipti Bramhandkar submits this one. I’m laughing already.
Ideas are New Combinations: A history of recombinant culture, from Locke to Linux →
“Everything is made up of mashed up other things: the philosophy of mash ups from John Locke, cut ups, remixing, jungle music, girl talk, and reality remixing.”
Faris over at Naked submitted this topic. Read more from him at http://www.farisyakob.com