Wednesday
Room 2
19:40 - 20:40
(UTC+02)
Talk (60 min)
The OG Social Network
Long before Facebook, a social computing network known as Bulletin Board Systems (BBSes) emerged from improvised technology and grassroots labor.
Built on homebrew computers, gadgets and phone lines, these systems became refuges for hackers and outcasts.
This talk tells the story of how computer hobbyists built a world-spanning social network during the 1970s and 80s, the technological innovations that made it possible, and the people who made it happen.
This is the story what impact volunteers operating outside institutional power can have when creating safe online spaces for cultural and political, and above all social interaction.
Maybe this social network wasn't a precursor to the internet, but a blueprint for what networked life can be when shaped primarily by its participants.
Anders Norås
Anders Norås started out in arts and design, but for the last 25 years he has been creating magic with code instead of paint. Blending creativity with technical skill, he brings a perspective on technology that is as much about people as it is about software.
He has given more than 100 talks at conferences around the world. His presentations are not just lectures, they are experiences. With a sharp delivery and high energy, Anders turns even dry technical material into something lively, memorable and often funny.
Whether you are into computer science, design, media or anything else, Anders offers insights that will make you think and probably make you laugh. He does not just talk about technology. He brings it to life.