Topic: Science and Technology (general)
At a special presentation to the SDForum, John Markoff discusses his new book, " What the Dormouse Said: How the 60s Counterculture Shaped the Personal Computer." How did the the licensing of the transistor Silicon Valley? Did Moore's Law come from Gordon Moore or was it borrowed from somone else else? And how did LSD and the Vietnam war help start the PC revolution? This is Part 1 of a two-part presentation. Part 2 will be published shortly. [SDForum Distinguished Speaker Series audio from IT Conversations]
Recent technological advances in hardware and software, broadband connectivity, and the decreasing cost of computers, cell phones, and other such devices have created an environment where we can connect with anyone, anytime, anywhere almost effortlessly. However, how do we determine with whom we want to connect? The answers to this question can be found by studying the underlying socio-technological motivations for the creation, maintenance, destruction, and reconstitution of knowledge and social networks. Dr. Noshir Contractor discusses some of his research in communication theory of dynamically linked knowledge networks over the past ten years at MeshForum 2005 through the examination of real-world examples. [MeshForum audio from IT Conversations]
"I'm not interested in bungy jumping off a bridge," states one of the World's greatest astronauts, Buzz Aldrin. At age 75, Buzz now runs a rocket design company, SCUBA dives the world's oceans, skis, and shares his passion for space exploration, lecturing around the world. IOW, Buzz still lives life to the fullest. In this timely edition of Larry's World, Buzz talks to host Larry Magid about everything from hearing aids to the latest technology in aeronautics. [Larry's World audio from IT Conversations]
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with John Valliant, a freelance writer and serial adventurer, who tells us the tale of a single genetic exception: The Golden Spruce, and its encounter with man and technology. [Tech Nation audio from IT Conversations]
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with Time editor Susan Casey about the Farallones, the islands barely visible from San Francisco, and the surprising science they're now telling us about the great white shark. Susan is the author of "Devil's Teeth -- A True Story of Obsession and Survival among America's Great White Sharks." [Tech Nation audio from IT Conversations]
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with John Thackara, the author of "In the Bubble -- Designing in a Complex World." John is also the Director of Doors of Perception and, a design futures network based in Amsterdam and Bangalore. He says that "if we can design our way into difficulty, we can design our way out." [Tech Nation audio from IT Conversations]
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with David Plotz, the deputy editor of Slate and author of "The Genius Factory -- Curious History of the Nobel Prize Sperm Bank." He'll tell us how he uncovered the Nobel Prize Sperm Bank and offer a cautionary tale for our brave new world. [Tech Nation audio from IT Conversations.]
Add devices, gizmos and gadgets to the endangered species list. This presentation by Wendy Seltzer and Jason Schultz of the Electronic Frontier Foundation highlights technologies threatened by a climate hostile to innovation. Learn about the legislation that is threatening technology developers and find out what can be done to fight back. [ETech 2005 audio from IT Conversations]
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with Tom Standage, the science and technology editor for the Economist. They'll talk about what makes the Economist unique, as well as his new beat: The Technology Quarterly. [Tech Nation audio from IT Conversations]
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with Joel Garreau, the cultural revolution correspondent to the Washington Post. They talk about GRIN: genetics, robotics, Information and nanotech. [Tech Nation audio from IT Conversations]
