1. David Weinberger, former senior Internet adviser to the Howard Dean presidential campaign, discusses how weblogs work and their value in gathering knowledge. (November 15, 2004)
2. Brewster Kahle, digital librarian and director/co-founder of the Internet Archive, explains how he first developed the idea and tools to archive the Web. (December 13, 2004)
3. Juan Pablo Paz, a quantum physicist from Buenos Aires who works at Los Alamos, discusses how quantum computing, now in its development stages, will eventually change again the way we collect, store, and distribute information. (January 24, 2005)
4. Brian Cantwell Smith, dean of the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto, defines his concept of "digitality" and discusses its impact on our notions of technology and the world around us. (January 31, 2005)
5. David Levy discusses the shift of reading from the fixed page to movable electrons and the effect that has had on language. Levy holds degrees in both computer science and calligraphy. (February 14, 2005)
6. Lawrence Lessig, founder of the Stanford Center for Internet and Society, speaks about the issues of copyright and "copyleft." (March 3, 2005)
7. Edward L. Ayers, Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia, addresses the implications of the creation and distribution of knowledge in today's digital environment. (March 14, 2005)
8. Neil Gershenfeld, director of the Center for Bits and Atoms at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, addresses the topic, "From the Library of Information to the Library of Things." His new concept, Internet Zero, proposes a new infrastructure for the existing Internet that would give an IP address to all electronic devices - from light bulbs to Internet addresses and URLs. (March 28, 2005)
©2005 National Cable Satellite Corporation
"This series was free on CSPAN"
Not worth the $$$ especially since this series was once available free on CSPAN. I hold a BS in Computer Science from a Big Ten University and I am employed as a Computer Systems Support Engineer and I had a difficult time following some of the speakers from a technical perspective.
A transplanted Englishman, I spend my time on biography, history and military books. I appreciate good English and good narration.
"Laborious"
This is a series that will appeal to those heavily involved in computer science or our digital world. To be blunt, I felt it was a pity to see fine minds spending so much time on philosophical discussion that appeared to lead nowhere important. But then, I am an economist by training and I know we get the same criticisms. The speakers are undoubtedly well qualified but I gave up halfway through the second series, tired of being lectured in that curiously American style where the speaker emphasizes and lengthens every word as if he wasn't about to be believed. Very, very tiring.
"technologically & socially stimulating"
This work is an exploration of coming changes in the socialization of information.
I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation with many gifted lecturers. It will be something I will reference back to in my mind as I create digital information and decision applications for serving the public.