Joi Ito — one of my old-time Web pals — has been named Executive Director of the MIT Media Lab. Here’s his own blog about it, here’s the NY Times story, and here’s MIT’s press release.
It’s always exciting when the Good Guys win one, and Joi is a Good Guy par excellence. Moreover, since Good Guys often get chewed up and spat out by positions in academic administration, he’s both savvy and well-connected, uniquely able to build the sorts of alliance that will benefit the Media Lab in the long and short runs. And Joi has demonstrated the capacity to recognise opportunities and risks better than most people.
I’m thrilled as can be that Joi will be occupying this nexus of innovation, exchange, intellectual effervescence, and social transformation. Ding!