About two weeks ago, I got an email from Google:

On April 29, 2011, videos that have been uploaded to Google Video will no longer be available for playback. We've added a Download button to the video status page, so you can download any video content you want to save. If you don't want to download your content, you don't need to do anything. (The Download feature will be disabled after May 13, 2011.)

So, basically... "unless you take action, all your videos will be deleted." But then, a week later, Google changed its tune. In my inbox:

Google Video users can rest assured that they won't be losing any of their content and we are eliminating the April 29 deadline. We will be working to automatically migrate your Google Videos to YouTube. In the meantime, your videos hosted on Google Video will remain accessible on the web and existing links to Google Videos will remain accessible.

This Google Video example is just one of many recent stories that suggest the web isn't as permanent as we're often led to believe. This past March, Yahoo Video removed all user-generated uploads from its site. When Cisco announced its plans to shut down its Flip Video business, it also announced that its companion FlipShare video sharing service "will no longer be supported past 12/31/2013."

For his perspective on online video and digital heritage, Nora interviewed Jason Scott. Jason's an archivist, technology historian, and filmmaker. A shorter version of their interview will air on Spark 147, but you can hear the full, uncut interview below, or download the MP3. [runs 31:31]

If you like hearing these extended interviews, why not subscribe to Spark Plus? You'll get regular weekly episodes, plus additional blog-only content like this. [Subscribe via RSS] or [Subscribe with iTunes]