Networking a Sustainable Future, will bring together a wide spectrum of individuals and social networks already actively working with information technology to bring about a more just and ecologically sane world. By gathering a carefully selected set of players holding diverse pieces of the puzzle we seek to deepen the cross connections among them, bring forth a new level of recognition of our potential synergy, and ultimately catalyze the emergence of a potential many can sense, but not yet articulate. Beyond encouraging greater interoperability and facilitating awareness of potential partnerships, we strive to catalyze a larger emergent phenomenon. Biological metaphors seem to fit best when it comes to the non-linear, chaotic, swarming behavior of decentralized dynamic systems; in that sense this will be a gathering of neurons, of dendrites, of nodes in a network, whose ultimate purpose may be to serve as elements of the collective conscience, if not consciousness, of the Planet at a time when all of our action is required to change the direction of history and avert impending disaster. Networks:
Social Network Tools New software tools and infrastructure have the potential to enable vast numbers of individuals and organizations to connect, collaborate and share resources more effectively, and perhaps most importantly, to see how many people there really are on this planet who share a wish to bring about a more a just and ecologically sane world. On the technical side, persistent identity and single sign on are just the tip of the iceberg, but may be enough to offer a unique momentary opportunity for social purpose networks to rapidly expand to dominate a space where trust is primary. Geographic Visualization New geographic visualization and terrain modeling software makes it possible to fly over almost photo-realistic representations of the Earth, from the globe in space, down to individual buildings and cars in satellite photos, while also viewing any other objects or abstract information that can be geographically located. This represents a new level of experience which is about to be integrated with existing GIS maps, geo-referenced databases, scenario modeling and even world simulation games — all made available literally "on the fly" over the Internet. New Financial Models It has been observed that money is just a poor substitute for imperfect information in the system, but now, with vast computer networks we have a whole new level of potential tools and approaches. Shifting the social-cultural game rules which are often called "laws of economics" may be the only way to cut the Gordian Knot of the myriad interrelated crises of our time. At the very least, complimentary currency, electronic trade and virtual exchanges may be among the points of greatest leverage on the system. Open Source Initiatives Virtually all of these threads share open source software as a common theme, but the term is also being extended into other realms of socioeconomic organization and law. In many ways the discovery of common ground between the open source software movement and other more well publicized environmental and social justice movements, and allied efforts, could be the key to empowering greater strength and synergy among a whole spectrum of naturally co-aligned efforts. Independent Media The key to all of this will be the distribution of open non-commercially coerced information to large segments of the population. The wave of digital tools and bandwidth that are just now becoming available have the potential to amplify and empower a wide range of new independent media efforts from on-line web, to RSS, to peer to peer, to portable wireless devices, to TiVo, to TV. Online Education Very few have any idea of what education can, much less should, mean in a radically digital world, but it is at least as much a realm of moral political and ethical questions as technical ones. We are most interested in exploring the real and immediate opportunities before us now for citizens of the Earth of all ages to educate ourselves and each other. Internet Activism From Seattle to MoveOn to click action the Internet has already changed the face of organizing and activism. What are the tools that we have now that more could be taking advantage of, and where are we going? Global Culture In a radical sense, all of this is one culture, all of this is Planetwork. From Silicon Valley to Black Rock Desert, and from Super Computer Center simulations, to solar powered schools with satellite internet in South Africa, we are the face of a new digital revolution which is dedicated to bringing about a livable world for all of our children, and their great grandchildren's children. Colaborative Networking In addition to presentations and panels, the entire event is designed to support an active networking process for all participants. A collaborative design shop with multiple opt-in creative sessions facilitated on-site by The Knowhere Store and on-line by Blue Oxen Associates will run throughout the conference, and a high speed wireless network, as well as ethernet, will be available throughout the building and grounds. All three parallel sessions, and much of the collabotorium will be captured on digital video, streamed live and archived. The conference portal site is built on a new open source collaborative platform, which many communities are adopting and extending as a universal adaptor to interconnect a growing number of existing systems. An account for document sharing and syndication is automatically created on this system for each conference participant is when they register. Come participate in this unique moment of opportunity v.5 |