Sures Kumar, an interaction designer studying at the National Institute of Design, India, posted this interesting concept video demonstrating Nimble,  a possible future solution to the problems of browse, search and their intersection with technology, combining the library card with augmented reality, multitouch, digital media and physical materials.

I have been a fan of Kickstarter for a while and was delighted to see The Uni, a light-weight, portable, open-air reading room.

The Uni starts with a custom-designed infrastructure that can be adapted to almost any kind of urban space. It consists of 144 open-faced cubes, which can be stacked and locked together in different configurations or heights, depending on site conditions. Together these cubes provide a modular system for programming public space and creating a venue for books, workshops, arts-and-crafts, demonstrations, classes, lectures, public meetings, and small film screenings….

In short, the Uni is a new type of small-scale, portable institution that puts books and learning experiences such as readings, classes, and screenings where we don’t regularly see them in the city. It can be installed in various configurations at different scales, and it can thrive in a variety of locations, efficiently transforming areas within parks, plazas, or empty lots into places of community use, learning, and public engagement.

I think every librarian should take out their wallets and contribute a few dollars to make this project a success.

(Hat tip to @CILIPinfo)

A TED Talk from TEDGlobal 2011 that offers librarians plenty to think about regarding our role in ensuring that citizens maintain freedom of expression and privacy on the Internet.

In this powerful talk from TEDGlobal, Rebecca MacKinnon describes the expanding struggle for freedom and control in cyberspace, and asks: How do we design the next phase of the Internet with accountability and freedom at its core, rather than control? She believes the internet is headed for a “Magna Carta” moment when citizens around the world demand that their governments protect free speech and their right to connection.

An interesting series of short films by BMW on the future of mobility will be made available over the coming weeks, with the first online now. While they seem to focus on the future of the car (bet you didn’t see that coming!) the short interviews they contain are still worth a look.

“Wherever You Want To Go” is the first release under BMW Documentaries—a new franchise dedicated to crafting original, thought-provoking and entertaining content. The film aims to take audiences to a place they’ve truly never been: the future. From the minds of some of the most influential scientists, academics, pioneers, and entrepreneurs of our time, this four-part documentary paints a unique picture of technology, culture, cities, our past, present and how it all relates to the future of mobility.

1) EteRNA (Science)

The video game, called EteRNA, was designed by scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Carnegie Mellon University. EteRNA taps gamers’ skills to accelerate biochemists’ understanding of DNA’s once-unsung chemical cousin, RNA. Gamers — no experience is necessary — design molecules composed of RNA, which is now “the emerging superstar in the field of biochemistry,” according to Rhiju Das, PhD, assistant professor of biochemistry at Stanford.

2) Groundcrew (Community)

Using our web interface, worthy projects, organizations, and businesses can build “squads” of real-world helpers/participants. Organizers can view data from their squad in real-time, using text messaging and GPS; they can see who’s available at any moment; and they can give assignments, either mass assignments or systems of individual assignments, to help people work together.

3) Nike+ (Health)

This year Nike is bringing you a whole new batch of Nike+ Challenges to keep your miles up and your motivation sky high! Keep an eye out for a new Featured Challenge from Nike on the first day of every month, and join up for your chance to score some of the latest Nike Running gear.

Wildcard) Find the Future: The Game (Libraries)

On May 20, 2011, a very big game with the New York Public Library will launch. It’s called Find the Future: the Game… and if you between the ages of 15 and 29, and are anywhere near New York City, you will want to save the night of May 20 (all night — 8 PM to 6 AM) to have an incredible, once-in-the-lifetime experience.

Fiero indeed!