The Open Video Alliance is hosting its first ever Wireside Chat this week with Lawrence Lessig. Tune in, visit a screening event in your city, or host your own.

The talk starts this Thursday at 6:00 PM EST (GMT -5) at openvideoalliance.org/lessig. We're streaming with the 100% free and open Theora codec. The easiest and most reliable way to tune in is to use the latest version of Firefox. To make sure you're equipped to watch Theora video, visit our wiki.

You can also attend a screening event in your city. There are now nearly 40 organized events to choose from all over the world, and many events have local activities planned alongside Lessig's talk.

If you'd like to join the interactive conversation during Lessig's lecture, use the hashtag #wireside to submit questions via Twitter/Identica. We welcome your ideas, suggestions, and photos before and after the event too. Use #wireside across the web, or e-mail OVA.

In Boston, attend Lessig's talk in person.

In Delhi, check out Delhi's first-ever CC Salon, Feb 28th.

In New York, enjoy an evening of cool remix art.

In Palo Alto, watch VJs Eclectic Method give a live remix demo.

In Sao Paulo, meet and eat with Brazilian arts and media practitioners.

In Toronto, participate in a panel with community leaders.

For a complete list of events, check out the list.

March 4th, 2010 from 5 - 7 PM in 4-231

Robots and Media: Science Fiction, Anime, Transmedia, and Technology
with Ian Condry and Cynthia Brazeal

Ian Condry, Associate Director of MIT Comparative Media Studies and Associate Professor of Foreign Languages and Literatures, will discuss the prevalence of giant robots in anime (Japanese animated films and TV shows). From the sixties to the present, robot or "mecha" anime has evolved in ways that reflect changing business models and maturing audiences, as can be seen in titles like Astro Boy, Gundam, Macross, and Evangelion. How can we better understand the emergence of anime as a global media phenomenon through the example of robot anime? What does this suggest about our transmedia future?

Cynthia Breazeal, Associate Professor at the MIT Media Lab and founder/director of the Lab's Personal Robots Group, will discuss how science fiction has influenced the development of real robotic systems, both in research laboratories and corporations all over the world. She will explore of how science fiction has shaped ideas of the relationship and role of robots in human society, how the existence of such robots is feeding back into science fiction narratives, and how we might experience transmedia properties in the future using robotic technologies.

Ignite Boston 7 will be Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 6pm to 9:00pm. The event will be at Microsoft's newest campus, the New England Research & Development office (NERD) right in Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA. This fantastic space is right on the Red Line of the MBTA, and there is ample on street free parking available.

Since there is limited space at the venue, you must RSVP on this page to have an opportunity to get into the event; but admission is on a first-come/first-served basis (to account for RSVPs who end up not making it; we don't want to waste spaces). By RSVP'ing you will also be entered for a chance to win $300 worth of O'Reilly books of your choice. You must be present to win. There will likely be other items like tee-shirts and other promo items for those who alert us ahead that they plan to attend. If you plan to attend, and do not RSVP you will be put in the 'wait-list' queue.

From 5:30 the lines to get in will begin to so we can facilitate entry into the building. Once the doors are opened for all, a check-in process will begin so please bring photo ID for the building Security personell. Once you are in, you are free to mingle and talk tech with your fellow FOOs, alpha geeks, and techies from the greater Boston area. After the mingling and social stuff we'll move on to the select keynote. Then, onto the lightning talks.

We're using #gigbos for this event since IgniteBoston7 is part of Global Ignite Week: http://globaligniteweek.com

More about Global Ignite Week

Ignite goes global! From March 1-5, 2010, 75+ Ignites will take place in cities around the world. Upwards of 10,000 entrepreneurs, technologists, DIYers, creative professionals, and enthusiastic knowledge-seekers will gather in local pubs, theaters, and other convivial venues for an evening that is a unique blend of networking, information, and fun, encapsulated in the Ignite motto: "Enlighten us, but make it quick."
In talks that are exactly five minutes long, Ignite presenters share their personal and professional passions, using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds.
Global Ignite Week is both an in-person and online phenomenon. Local Ignites will stream live video during the event, and those videos will be archived on the new Ignite video site that is being launched in conjunction with the event. At least 500 five-minute session videos will be available on the new site when it debuts.
Don't miss being part of this enlightening week--attend, present, or lead an Ignite in your city: http://globaligniteweek.com.