In this video interview with Doug Rushcoff for the excellent BBC Virtual Revolution series he explores the nature of the web as free.

Are we conforming our web identities to a “completely formatted” and predictable existence on the web using tools like the market friendly presence of a facebook page as opposed to the freeform and often chaotic nature of myspace profiles? “You know, what we've done is moved from personal, human, open-ended self-expression to completely market and computer-friendly regimented and conformist expression”?

Google wants every system to be open. But what Google really want is every system to be open to Google so that Google can serve ads through every piece of technology. You know, the same way that the World Bank says, 'Oh, we want to give money to all these developing nations as long as they open their markets to first world activity. That means, we're going to give them money so that they allow a factory to be opened on their land, you know, we're going to give them money so they have the privilege of paying us back with interest.'

“Things are free and things are devalued now”.

Doug Rushkoff interview below:

BBC Digital Revolution licence

All interview clips & rushes from the BBC Virtual Revolution series available here.

This year the anti-TED movement seems to have geared up a level with criticism coming right, left and centre with TechCrunch seeming to lead the way…

I like TED (@TEDtalks).

I like how all the TED talks are distributed under a Creative Commons licence.

I like the annual TED conference where attendees gather for a “brain spa” and a number of those talks are subsequently used for various follow-on campaigns, eg:

• Al Gore on averting climate crisis
• Tim Berners-Lee on the next Web which proved a helpful reference point to establishing http://data.gov.uk/ and
• Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food which I think that we will be seeing a lot more of this year.

I like TEDx where local communities such as schools, businesses, libraries, neighbourhoods or just groups of friends to organize, design and host their own independent, TED-like events .

Is TED elitist?, “yes, (in a good way), but also no”

The Microsoft Pivot project is now available outside for general download and its an impressive tool for visualising and interacting with data.

This Julian Sanchez 8-minute video on remix culture talks about how this isn't just about sitting around your house remixing, but often turns into a social event among remixers and their friends.

via boing boing (@boingboing)

An excellent sub 15 minute video by David S Rose on How to Pitch to a VC

This is an excellent sub 15 minute presentation by David S Rose (http://www.rose.vc/) on “How to Pitch to a VC” as delivered at TED in 2007.

#lrnchat is a weekly twitter discussion that occurs every Thursday evening from 8:30 est, yesterdays explored some of the myths around training and learning