Deborah Estrin, “Embedding the Internet: How Smart Sensors May Help Save the Planet.” LA Future Salon 18 Nov 2005. (MP3 format, 27 MB, 58 minutes)
Abstract: Dr. Estrin discusses the present and future of Sensor Networks, a new and exciting class of computing systems that combine distributed sensing, computation and wireless communication. On the tech side these systems are being promoted as potentially disruptive and enabling as the Internet; on the application side key players see them as a way to manage a growing number of difficult problems such as monitoring public exposure to contaminants, managing land use, and creating safer structures. Hear how this fascinating new set of technologies and applications will permanently change our environment in coming years!
Bio: Deborah Estrin is Director of the Center for Embedded Networked Sensing (CENS) and Professor of Computer Science at UCLA. She is Associate Editor of ACM Transactions on Sensor Networks and Member of the The National Academies Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB)

David Ellerman, “Helping People Help Themselves: Moving From Failed Methods of Economic Development to Alternative Strategies.” LA Future Salon 4 Mar 2007. (MP3 format, 41 MB, 90 minutes)
Abstract: Interested in global economic development? This presentation will spark ideas for how you can get involved and really make a difference. The age-old problem in development is how to help in a way that furthers rather than undercuts the goal of the doers helping themselves. Autonomy cannot be externally supplied. And if the doers are to become autonomous, then what is the role of the external helpers? This problem of furthering “assisted self-reliance” or assisted autonomy, is the fundamental conundrum of development assistance. We’ll consider ideas of yesterday's and today's development planners, including the discourse of scholars like the UN Millennium Project's Director, Jeffrey Sachs (The End of Poverty, 2006), who argue that the main problem is marshalling enough money and expertise to finally “solve” the problem and “make poverty history.” Fortunately an alternative to top-down planning, decentralized social learning, is playing an increasingly central role, and being supported by a range of new internet-based technologies. Come hear where our best practices may be headed.
Bio: David Ellerman is a visiting scholar at UC Riverside, and author of the acclaimed book Helping People Help Themselves: From the World Bank to an Alternative Philosophy of Development Assistance, 2006. Among his many experiences, he worked in the World Bank from 1992 to 2003 as an economic advisor to Chief Economists Joseph Stiglitz and Nicholas Stern.

Instructions
To listen, simply click on a link. You'll need Windows Media Player or equivalent installed.
To download, right click on a link and choose "Save Target As..." and browse to where you want to store the MP3 file on your computer.