Robert Steele is the craziest keynote speaker I have ever seen. I can describe him as a combination of the following
• Steve Ballmer (jumping up and down on-stage)
• Jack Bauer: he is apparently an ex-CIA spy
• Chloe O’Brian: ok, another “24″ reference, but he did start the first Hacker conference in NYC in 1994
• Oh there are so many more references…but this guy is speaking at a mile a minute

Open Source is the New Black
Robert takes the traditional “open source” notion to a new level. At first glance you must think this is regarding software: Microsoft Vs. Linux. Instead we have an inside-out view of the world…

Robert is calling for transparency in worldwide governments via technology empowered denizens. This is a pretty provocative story. He is basically telling us what we have already been doing, most in part supported by blogging technology….The citizens of the world are now able to be the Anderson Coopers and of course, Stephen Colberts of the world. It seems we have not been taking enough advantage of our newfound power to enact change.

Blogging itself wont allow the spread of information…we need supercharged broadcasting platforms. Amir Hirsh’s Collactive is one such company. Having figured out how to crack the Digg/del.ico.us/etc news ranking model, the average online user can now make his/her voice heard without having to be the Om Malik’s and Michael Arrington’s of the world.

You can view this exciting presentation here.