If you’re thinking that everything has suddenly all become about data (even round these parts), and have been wondering why it’s relevant, then this presentation by the Media Trust’s Martin Moore on the topic of linked data is for you.
Last week I was asked by Jamie Young at the RSA to chair the Interconnected Society session of the Technology in a Cold Climate summit. (See this previous post for the overall outline and the day’s schedule).
Refreshingly, the point of the day was for everyone in attendance to work hard, roll our sleeves up and get involved. Fuller accounts of the day can be found at the RSA blog specifically set up for the research.
The day started with an opening keynote (see video below) from Stephen Timms, Minister for Digital Britain, who reminded us that this was the third time he’d held such a role but also outlined the current digital landscape in the UK and how it affects society and the economy.
Professor John Farrington presents his research. Photo by Paul HendersonEach proceeding session was then a workshop, with the aim of all the participants contributing to the final report after hearing the research papers given by the academics.
The Interconnected Society session started with Professor John Farrington presenting his research outlining the potential to be gained through having interconnected society. As well as looking at the benefits that such a society could bring he also examined the existing multiple digital divides (technical, geographical, social, economic, cultural, not-connection, connection but disconnection from other social spheres) and issues in rural areas.
This presentation was formally responded to by Julian David of IBM and Graham Walker of the government’s Digital Inclusion task force. Paul Henderson recorded the whole session’s activity, which can be viewed and read here.
We then split into found groups to discuss the presentations and to try to make some recommendations for the final RSA report.
What follows are two of the group’s responses and an interview that David Wilcox made with Professor John Farrington and I.
The C&binet Forum is taking place this week from Monday evening through to Wednesday (26-29 October 2009). The forum aims to “debate access to finance for creative industries, new business models for online content, developing talent and securing creative rights” and is gathering business leaders from across the creative and finance industries.
Possibly as a result of the Digital Britain Unconferences I’ve been invited to attend. And so I’m opening things up to you all for your ideas and thoughts – in true unconference fashion.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Follow the conference on twitter and the official blog:
Take a really good look at the agenda for the event – each session has details if you click on the link
Consider what positive contribution/idea or question you may have
Post your ideas/questions below together with the session it relates to – try to be as concise as possible, a few sentences or a paragraph at most
Whilst I can’t guarantee that I will put your thoughts forward I will do my best, and I will also link to this post and your ideas via twitter and to others during the conference, so that they can be seen.