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I’m very happy to announce that I’m speaking at WebVisions 2009.

“Serving the Next Billion” is an hour long session about the perspective that people from developing nations bring to the Internet, and how web nerds can help improve the parts of the world that need it most.

Empowering the forgotten people of the world is one of the greatest challenges to humanity, and one I’ve struggled to reconcile with my profession as a software developer.  But I have hope:  the Internet is converging with billions of people, and it’s an unprecedented opportunity for people like me (and you) to connect with and learn from the rest of the world.

I also excited about being featured on a web page in close proximity to Mark Frauenfelder.

So, put it in your calendar:  WebVisions runs from May 20th to 22nd here in Portland.  I’ll be doing my thing on Friday morning at 9:00, and I hope to see you there!

This is one of the finest jokes I’ve read in a long time.  I wonder what this says about me.

Alvin is working in his store when he hears a booming voice from above that says, “Alvin, sell your business!”  He ignores it.  The voice goes on for days saying, “Alvin, sell your business for three million dollars!”  After weeks of this, he relents and sells his store.

The voice says, “Alvin, go to Las Vegas!”

Alvin asks why.

“Alvin, just take the three million dollars and go to Las Vegas.”

Alvin obeys, goes to Las Vegas, and visits a casino.

The voice says, “Alvin, go to the blackjack table and put it all down on one hand!”

Alvin hesitates but gives in.  He’s dealt an eighteen.  The dealer has a six showing.

“Alvin, take a card!”

“What?  The dealer has …”

“Take a card!”

Alvin tells the dealer to hit him, and gets an ace.  Nineteen.  He breathes easy.

“Alvin, take another card.”

“What?”

“TAKE ANOTHER CARD!”

Alvin asks for another card.  It’s another ace.  He has twenty.

“Alvin, take another card!” the voice commands.

“I have twenty!” Alvin shouts.

“TAKE ANOTHER CARD!” booms the voice.

“Hit me!” Alvin says.  He gets another ace.  Twenty-one!

And the booming voice says, “Un-fucking-believable!”

It’s from a little book with a big name, “Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes.”

Highly recommended.  Go get it.