P2P production can overcome the problem of the absence of social approval for energy investments by local societies, a result of the justified distrust with which the plans of the would-be “green energy squires” are treated. Since, the access to renewable sources as well as the spatial distribution of human activity is subject to geographical differentiations, we will have to keep an open mind to any technology or mixtures of technologies that can efficiently utilise local wealth and local social conditions. This article by George Papanikolaou appeared in a special issue of the Greek bi-lingual Re-Public magazine, Issue on P2P Energy, 2009

We've written previously about the Obama Administration's Open Government Directive . Tags: Influence Collaboration Government Internet Strategy Online Community Social Medi Among other things, the Directive has led to a proliferation of innovative " ideas sites " across the federal agencies. Last week the White House issued a new memorandum titled " Guidance on the Use of Challenges and Prizes to Promote Open Government " (PDF) — a further step towards citizen engagement.

Excerpt from an analysis of the Obama approach by Naomi Klein : “Obama has gone much further, turning the White House into a kind of never-ending reality show starring the lovable Obama clan. The problem is not that Obama is using the same tricks and tools as the superbrands; anyone wanting to move the culture these days pretty much has to do that. This too can be traced to the mid-90s branding craze, when marketers grew tired of the limitations of traditional advertising and began creating three-dimensional “experiences” – branded temples where shoppers could crawl inside the personality of their favourite brands.