In March 2008, after a conversation with Toby Moores, I blogged about the ways in which we thought the impact of social media might parallel the impact of the dissolution of the monastaries. But way back then, none of us expected the economic crash that was to come. It makes me smile to read that last year I wrote:  "today there is not a single drive to traumatise and destroy our major institutions and companies with sledgehammers" - hah hah hah.

I'm very excited to announce our new project, Amplified Leicester. Funded by NESTA Web Connect, it's a city-wide experiment to:

• explore diversity and innovation
• build a network across diverse communities
• create, share and develop new ideas
• use social media like facebook and twitter as an amplifier

Find out more at the website. If you live in Leicester and you'd like to participate, do get in touch for information on how to apply. Translated information in eight languages is here.

I took this photo at the Michael Jackson auction exhibition in Beverley Hills in April 2009. Have been a huge admirer for years through all his troubles. Only saw him perform live once, in Leeds a few years ago, and had tickets to see him at the 02 in London. Very very sad that he has passed away. He was an inspiration and an original.