People are not only reshaping their social identities, but also strengthening the links of knowledge and their existence. In the cloud of connections, we each become social neurons, mimicking the biological human brain but on a giant scale. The collective knowledge is far beyond anything a single search engine could index and archive. Intelligence is spreading everywhere, every minute, and cloud computing can draw new links across new ideas. We think together but remain independent in our identity. If we could foster co-thinking to reach consensus about new solutions, we may be able to find a new direction for the future. Hope can emerge from new collaborative models based on a new paradigm; science and art will act gracefully to match human nature, and to shape the future of humanity.

My presentation from the Ars Electronica cloud intelligence symposium in September 2009. The core question is how online networks can become smart.

In this presentation I describe the concept of the internet as a form of global consciousness. I look at the idea of human nature as it has traditionally been represented but suggest that a more appropriate model is that of a collection of neurons. With this model I analyse what a global consciousness would look like - not collaboration, as in the organization of a company or a nation, but cooperation, as in the actions of autonomous but interdependent and connected individuals. All photos were taken by the author at Ars Electronica 2009 in Linz, Austria. Audio and text at http://www.downes.ca/presentation/229

Experiences democratizing cloud computing

Lecture by Pablo Flores during the Cloud Intelligence Symposium, Linz (Austria), September 2009.

I want to explore from both functions and philosophy of blogging in our life, to highlight the future factors of this revolution.

The cloud as a hub for environmentalism, as seen through actions and self organization in sub saharan Africa.

Xiao Qiang’s presentation at The Ars Electronica Symposium on Cloud Intelligence.

A presentation from a symposium on "Cloud Intelligence" at Ars Electronica in Linz, September 5, 2009

Ars Electronica , Linz, 2009:Social networking’s impact on Iranian protest movement has been discussed: Myth and Reality.

Electricity is like oxygen
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mzn37/2802221141/

No longer is Africa’s rich cultural heritage, development and identity championed and hijacked by those from outside and treated as a footnote to human history. Social Media tools are allowing Africa’s Neo Diaspora an opportunity to tell their stories, share their culture, collaborate, and engage in Africa’s development. For the first time, Africa is contributing it’s collective intelligence to the collective human cloud of knowledge. Africa’s story is increasingly being told by Africans.