turntable / as the table turns

Steve “iTunes Lock In” Jobs is pushing to abolish DRM. Looks like another one of my predictions is moving ahead nicely.

Not that I’m keeping tabs.

The What’s UP 2007 event was good fun. I met some really nice, well clued-up people. Here are the slides from my predictions (use the < > keys to navigate). The day after UP, I headed out on our family summer holiday.

As I write, I’m in the exquisite Northland region of NZ (in Oakura Bay to be precise). It’s been ideal in every way. Swimming, kayaking, bbq-ing, reading and sleeping. It’s warm here day and night, and there’s no wind. It’s really been making us question why people (us included) live in Wellington.

At the holiday house I perused the book shelf and noticed The Google Story. I tend to have a strong aversion to business books. However, I’ve really been enjoying it. It’s a good piece of storytelling. The thing that’s sticking out for me is how Larry and Sergey have always had the tenacity to do things their way, along with the perseverance to execute first and foremost. Ultimately, it’s really about having the conviction to relentlessly pursue what you believe is best and have fun doing it.

At the UP event, I noted that several of my predicted future platforms could easily be generated out of NZ. Foo Camp is coming up this weekend and I’m really hoping to see strong evidence of that same type of tenacity, conviction, guts, plus the ambition to build something big and important and useful from this beautiful country, something that the world needs and NZ can deliver. Peter Jackson did that for the film industry. Who will do it for ICT?

I’ve been challenged to put up or shut up in the future predicting department. Next Wednesday (24 Jan 2007) you can witness me doing my best Nostradamus imitation in front of a live audience at the next Unlimited Potential event: What’s UP in 2007?

Will I amaze and astound all those present? Or will I be a bitter embarrassment to all those who know me? You can be the judge, but only if you go.

Fortunately, the future does not depend entirely upon me. There will be a group of wiser, better informed internet rockstars to help me look even more foolish.

• Mauricio Freitas, Mr. Geekzone
• Hamish MacEwan, Mr. Citylink
• Tom Beard, Mr. Urban Planning
• David Farrar, Mr. Politico

If you don’t come to see us clowns, you should at least come for the free pizza and beer.

When: Wednesday 24th January 2006, at 5:30 for a 6:00 start.
Where: Creative HQ, at 25 Marion Street, Wellington.

Hope to see you there. Got any good tips for me? Please.