The pact of progress continues to deluge us with new resources and opportunities. We are now at a crossroads where creativity, community and technology will continue to intertwine. As a community, we have to identify what defines us and look towards the future to redefine us such that we are relevant to the future. Most new hackers, it seems, do not even know that they are hackers. As a community we need grow, extend our comfort levels and reach out to find these individuals and redefine ourselves in the process. Still, our groups, conferences and spaces continue to mostly have a focus on traditional hacker activities. Likewise, our own paranoia often works to our downfall, as potential new members of our community find our façade and culture confusing and hostile.

In this presentation I will discuss where I believe we are now and, more importantly, where I see us as a community in the future. In addition, I will identify the kinds of people whom would not only benefit from our experience, but from whom we would benefit from their fresh perspectives and ideas.

Froggy
Froggy is a co-founder of Notacon and enjoys events that challenge peoples’ assumptions about whatever is considered “normal”. He is an avid camper, enjoys events such as Burning Man and Recycled Rainbow and overall likes to see what happens when interesting people are put into unusual situations. In his more mundane life he works in academia. In his spare time he philosophizes about the future, art and technology. When he’s not being hoighty-toity he enjoys fragging people in online video games.