My paperwork went through today, so I can finally say it in public without fear of jinxing myself… I am proud and very excited to say that I’m officially joining the MIT Media Lab as a visiting scholar, through the Center for Civic Media.  I’ve been coming here for the weekly lunches and research meetings for a while now, and have been a member of the center’s email list for quite some time, but today I got my ID card so I guess it’s official. I am really overcome with geeky joy every moment of every day that I’m here - it’s like I died and went to geek heaven.  From big things like the ridiculously inspiring building that is the Media Lab, to little things like people making robots in the hallway, to all of the historic elements and artifacts you walk by as you roam the halls.  Maybe it’s just me, but the whole place seems to be sprinkled with happy geek dust, and I just can’t get enough of it (I hope this feeling doesn’t wear off). More specifically, it’s a super exciting time at the Media Lab and at Center for Civic Media.  It’s an honor to be working with Joi Ito, the new head of the Lab, andEthan Zuckerman, the new director of the center.  I’ve been followers and fans of both for a long time.  And there is an incredible group of people in and around the Center that I’m looking forward to getting to know. If you haven’t already seen it, go over and read Joi’s article in this Tuesday’s Times on the Internet as a “belief system”, “Open Innovation”, and what it all means for the future of learning.  This is the kind of stuff that I can’t stop thinking about, and I could not be more thrilled to be among a community of people who are doing the same.