PopTech, 2003 and 2002

Pop!Tech 2003, which bills itself as "the world's premier conference exploring the impact of technology on society and the future," will open tonight in Camden, Maine, with a reception for 500 of the world's prominent thought leaders and innovators. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday we'll see three days of discussion on topics including biotechnology, nanotechnology, the hydrogen economy, globalization, and the future of design. The program will be moderated by Dr. Moira Gunn, host of National Public Radio’s Tech Nation.

I attended last year, and in honor of the PopTech tradition, I've just posted a photo album of some of the heavy hitters and friends I met last year. See it here. (Wish I had a photo blog tool last year.) Among those in the photo parade: Howard Rheingold, Jaron Lanier, Ray Kurzweil, Sherry Turkle, Bob Metcalfe, Maine Gov. Angus King and others. (Didn't anyone bring a camera this year?)

I was also the lead PopTech blogger last year (looks like they don't have one this year) and interviewed Howard Rheingold, Jaron Lanier and Bruce Damer.

I can't make it this year, but some blogger friends are attending, including David Weinberger, Ernie the Attorney, Buzz Bruggemann, Larry Lessig and Tom Regan of the Christian Science Monitor. (By happenstance, I'll be flying to Boston on business in a week and stay overnight at Tom's place.) I suspect we'll be able to follow the proceedings via the blogosphere.