Jonathan Zittrain is something of an Internet prodigy. A co-founder of the Berkman Center at Harvard, he is now the Professor of Internet Governance and Regulation at the Oxford Internet Institute in England, these being the two premier institutions in the field. Jonathan has written a book 'The Future of the Internet — And How to Stop It' and this event was in the nature of a launch party three days before its official release date.

Zittrain explains that the Internet and much of what is built on top of it is “generative” - it welcomes change from anyone, anywhere. The benefits of generativity are innovative output (new things that improve people’s lives), and participatory input (the opportunity to connect with other people, work with them, and express oneself). But security issues online, like viruses, spyware, and invasions of privacy, will see this generative infrastructure replaced by fashionable “tethered appliances,” including iPods, iPhones, Xboxes, and TiVos. These devices are not generative-they can’t be modified easily by users, even as they are continuously regulated and controlled by their makers. Zittrain offers an accessible discussion of the looming problems of an “appliancized” future and provides a set of visionary solutions to help stop it.