Short summary of seeing Howard Rheingold being interviewed at the Commonwealth Club last Tuesday. First off I was surprised how modern, well like 80's modern, the Commonwealth Club rooms are. I expected from their behavior with hammering the session in and out that they would be surrounded by dark wood paneled walls, thick carpet and leather chairs ..., but non of that. It had more the feeling of a conference room in a library, which is perfectly fine, just different then expected.
The session was targeted toward the general radio audience which was obvious from the first question: "Can you tell us what does SMS Message stand for again?"
Nevertheless few things stuck with me: He is also of the opinion that there is a fight between open and closed systems (See: "Future of Ideas", Lawrence Lessig). The internet is only as successful as it is because of it's built in openness.
He took barcode as an example of a closed systems. Almost any products you buy has one. So far only large companies use them. But what happens if you connect a cheap barcode reader to a wireless device that does a Google query on the internet about the scanned product? He has the story on the Smartmobs website. All in a sudden it is an open system and gives me the possibility to check my trusted sources regarding fair trade, environmental record, labor practice, ... and I can vote with my wallet. Capitalism from the bottom up. I cannot wait for it.
The above picture, by the way was done by May Woo using her T-Mobile Sidekick. With it she instantly bloged the picture to Hiptop Nation. The next day Howard picked it up and posted it on Smartmobs too.
At he end I felt that there were many questions surrounding the topic of wireless devices and their social implications not asked. With only one hour there was not enough time. I told him about our Futurist Salon and invited him to come and introduce his book at one of our next sessions. He said that he is currently very busy, but will look into it. Hope it works out. I thumped through his book and it is very interesting, but first I want to finish the Mitnick one.