Tech Futures at the Boston Book Festival

Where will the written word go when it’s not on paper? The Boston Book Festival will feature events that showcase emerging e-reader technology, delve into on-line user behavior, explore new storytelling techniques, look at how technology can reduce world poverty and demonstrate some amazing technologies.  Here’s the rundown:

Tim Kring, developer and executive producer of the blockbuster television show Heroes, will give a highly visual presentation about his use of transmedia storytelling. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.

New York Times personal technology columnist David Pogue will host an e-reader variety show (with music!), which will showcase many of the new electronic readers on the market.

Nicholas Negroponte and Iqbal Quadir will be on hand to explore how the spread of technology can have a positive impact on ending world poverty. Digital librarian Brewster Kahle will be on hand to talk about his role in making knowledge widely available. Sponsored by Verizon.

Wired Magazine contributing editor Jeffrey Howe will chat with Ben Mezrich, author of The Accidental Billionaires, a look at the founding of Facebook by two Harvard undergraduates and the viral growth of the site into a world- wide phenomenon, and Ethan Gilsdorf, author of Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks, a chronicle of his travels through the worlds of online gaming and live-action role-playing.

In addition, Cambridge-based E Ink Corporation will have a Festival booth in Copley Square showcasing its cutting edge technologies, such as flexible screens and color electronic ink.

These events will all take place during the Festival between 10 am and 6 pm on October 24, 2009 and are free and open to all with no prior reservations (or geek credentials) required.

To read more about Boston Book Festival events, CLICK HERE.