Living Content: Re-writing the Past, Changing Reality and Molding the Future

How did William Randolph Hearst prevent the legalization of marijuana? Why do top government officials—including the president of the United States receive reports on social media prior to diplomatic visits? How are tools like Wikipedia, Facebook, and Act.ly changing the past and predicting the future? Open participation in online mediums is revolutionizing how the past is remembered and thus how the future unfolds. Bureaucratic bodies such as governments, corporations, and religions are becoming less relevant as individual agents, who are most active in using and knowledgeable about Web 2.0 and social media, challenge their structure, message, and purpose.

This panel discussion will examine how tools like Wikipedia, Facebook, and Act.ly are changing the past and predicting the future, with key case studies/examples presented including the evolution of “Man” in Wikipedia, recent Middle Eastern revolts, and the food industry and regulation. It will also present a robust discussion on the future of trusted sources and collective knowledge.

Who should attend: Anyone interested in influencing change.

What they will learn: Attendees will learn of examples and case studies such as evolution of “Man” in Wikipedia, Middle East revolutions, and changes regulations.in the food industry.

How this new knowledge can be applied: Civic/community participation, expediting and expanding the adoption of new ideas.

Amy Senger, founder and CEO of 1X57, helps companies and organizations implement new ideas and technologies, with past projects and clients including Intellipedia at the CIA and A-Space at the DNI. She is a leading voice in government, technology, and social advancement, Washington, D.C.

Kirby Plessas, president of Plessas Experts Network, Inc., open source intelligence expert, Army veteran trained as an Arabic linguist, and technical expert for internet research, Arlington, Virginia
Steven Mandzik, founder of the non-profit A Clean Life, corporate blogger, community manager and trainer, Washington, D.C.

key words: education, training, social media, web 2.0

issue areas: Technology and Science, Society and Culture