Jonathan Zittrain: The Web as random acts of kindness

http://www.ted.com Feeling like the world is becoming less friendly? Social theorist Jonathan Zittrain begs to difffer. The Internet, he suggests, is made up of millions of disinterested acts of kindness, curiosity and trust.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

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[caseyforever]

i've been a member of "couch surfing" for years. amazing. have met so many fun people and even one room mate that came from it! it strongly suggest it to everyone. meet great people, stay connected to the world, and it's EASY. you need to do NOTHING.

[yinyangnature]

As someone who is often speaking of the virtues of The Venus Project and a future without a monetary system; one of the things I most often hear is how there would be no motivation to do anything without money.

In this video Jonathan Zittrain debunks the common notions that our species can only be motivated by personal advantage and finds unity with others is still a fundamental human condition.

[algerhistogram]

hahahaha 11:30 line about "turning everything into an ad for Rolex" is funny since Rolex ads have been at the tail end of many TED videos lately.

[InternetPeacemaker]

Yeah, I liked it too.

[InternetPeacemaker]

Beaconing. Make it safe. Make it feel like a caring home.

[sythax]

oh god interlacing

[leeleonor1]

But am my btothers i will pick up 3 Times as they Never look down at anyone unless its to give a hand up. POGO. THAT IS A ppl died were burnt and thank for MLK i suggest u and i have all you listen to that wonderful man talk.was for all of us! Then use that word you call yourselves with such pride! Be bless i help Children!

[sonofkikkoman]

A girl from France is surfing my couch atm.

[jimamidon]

Nice job of trying to explain the motivation some have for being out here ... Forums are a good display of this, I can ask a tech question at 4 am and get a reply, for free, from someone on other side of the world ...