Frans Nauta
Frans Nauta (1966) is the founder and chairman of the Netherlands Knowledge Foundation. He is also a member of the Dutch government's Innovation Platform, chaired by Dutch Prime Minister Balkenende.
Some media in Holland describe Frans as a sort of "knowledge evangelist", but he is happy that abroad people still regard him as just an ordinary guy. So far he has managed to survive a lightening career without noticeable psychological scars. He's been a political adviser for the city of Amsterdam, policy maker for the Amsterdam Environmental Service, board member for the Kriterion Cinema, independent consultant specialising in transport, environment and planning, as well as ICT-trendwatcher for the Atos-Origin concern. Somehow he also found the time to study Political Administration at the University of Amsterdam.
He admits that as early as 1992 he had the illustrious e-mail address of frans@hacktic.nl (insiders know what hacktic was all about), but several unpaid bills meant he lost this very "early adopters" account.
Frans is author of the Dutch-language Knowledge Economy Monitor 2003 and a publication called "The Information Society By Example". He is a frequent columnist and conference speaker. Gadgets: Apple Powerbook 12", Palm Tungsten T3, Nokia 6230 and anxiously awaiting Palm's Treo 650 in Europe
- Former hobbies:basketball, climbing, drinking in moderation, peanut butter, Silicon Valley, Brett Easton Ellis, Alvin Toffler, Demos.
- Current hobbies:running, Room 401, Finland, Richard Florida, Innovation Platform.
- Future hobbies:lecturer, Australia, father.
- Permanent hobbies: diving, Tai Chi, France, lounge, Douglas Coupland, Robert Reich
