The feature appeared for me in a small box on Google’s search results and I’m presuming this is where the feature will see its search integration. I’m too paranoid to install it (privacy concerns) however it looks like an intriguing idea from both ends (user and Google). I’m frequently losing websites that I visited earlier in the day or week; sometimes even months after visiting a page I’ll go back and try to find the page in question. Google is looking to eliminate this problem by creating a navigable database of everything you visit, and by throwing Google’s famous search on top of it they are looking to make your net archeology a bit easier.

A similar feature to this was implemented in Google Desktop, allowing users to search through their web history. It is likely that we will see a merging of these two features in the future to prevent redundancy, however Google hasn’t given any word yet. One feature that has been lost (or as they say, renamed) is Search History, the functionality of which is now present in Web History.

I applaud Google for trying to make users’ lives easier, at the same time though we have to wonder what Google is doing with this data. Storing all the world’s information isn’t the most profitable business and Google has ads to make up for this, however it surprises me that ads will continue to cover for these side ventures that take focus away from the original mission of search. I don’t want to suggest Google as an Orwellian Big Brother, however they must be fast approaching some government organizations with the ability to find out about people!

Ultimately Web History is an interesting addition to the Google suite of tools, however I won’t be enabling it. I’m a bit too paranoid (and too forgetful for those times I may want it disabled).

The subject of the interview was the project to found a nation on the ideals of a free culture. The effort has been dubbed the “FreeNation” project, and already has gained support from a wide community that spans the globe. Initially created by The Pirate Bay (a BitTorrent tracker) as an effort to navigate around copyright laws, the project has advanced into a fully-fledged redesign of human culture in an attempt to fix the problems that we have faced up until this stage of our existence.

On “core”

“We are forming an organization that is fluid, and has equality through the ‘ranks’. Today I may be head of a group, tomorrow I might be digging a ditch.”

This equality and community building was always in focus throughout the interview. They have good reason too – the FreeNation community had lashed out harshly when a small group of members (”dubbed as ‘core’ thanks to Brokep, Public Relations of The Pirate Bay” said GhostOutlaw) attempted to push the project forward more quickly by creating their own IRC channel which was password protected. Their secrecy and connection to the Pirate Bay lead to confusion and uproar in a week old project.

“The initial starting of core was a few members who found that some of the IRC chat was a little to spammy to actually have a cohesive discussion,” explained GhostOutlaw. “[We are a] ’structure group’ — we are trying to form the skeleton or structure to allow us to achieve our goals,” added Democritus. “The idea is that when we CAN handle the huge influx of interest, we will actually be able to accept those into our community and give them JOBS!!!”

No one knows exactly what jobs will be available. For now, this “structure group” is focused primarily on releasing a website and rolling out a public relations move that will help encourage increased donations. Although the plans aren’t set in stone as to how the website will be put in place, Dpx said that they “plan to have a wiki and a forum, that much has been decided.”

“But I know it’s island fever and I got it real bad” – The Beach Boys

The overall plan for FreeNation is to buy an island, on which the group will promote a free culture. It was said most concisely by Democritus: “We wish to establish a collective of like minded individuals on an island colony, to provide a place where a new society can be born and raised, to learn from our own mistakes, and those of the past to provide a better future for all of mankind.”

Details were vague, and I was routinely assured that “we are working out what exactly the goals are.” It is understandable – the project has only been around for ten days. Community was stressed as well. GhostOutlaw pointed out that “the end result will be whatever the community wants to be. It’s a community project and a community effort.”

The community was built around the proposition of providing The Pirate Bay a safe haven from copyright laws. When the community took over the reigns, the idea was morphed. As Democritus told me, the idea was now much more focused on creating a new type of society that would promote Free Culture from all angles. When I asked about The Pirate Bay’s connection to the FreeNation Foundation, I was told that “what we have now is a highly evolved form of TPB’s idea. They did want to start a country for servers. They are part of our community.”

Looking forward

The FreeNation Foundation’s proposal is one that will continue to receive accolades and attacks. It’s a dramatic proposal that, whilst not yet successful, shows the power the internet holds in bringing people together. If the foundation achieves their goal, this new open culture will dramatically alter the landscape of culture all over the world.

The plan needs guidance though. As of now, it seems to be in more than capable hands. With the “group-formerly-known-as-core” helping to guide discussion and establish an infrastucture for conversation, the community’s input is relevant now more than ever. “As the community grows, it will shape and change and evolve. We are looking forward to being part of this process.”

Update: Digg here!

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Read more about the FreeNation Foundation by visiting their website and wiki.