The name of the game is ...
Published by E. Hugh Pettman, Employee at Biophysics Research Pte. Ltd.
The name of the game is communication. People in so many organizations that are trying to help solve water/sanitation problems have little of no idea about just what is available out there. A developed data base, a central data base with analytical abilities that is able to push information out on a regular but not imposing basis, say once a month is needed. Good, solid, meaningful information about the wants and needs of different areas, peoples and projects together with new technologies and that shows the links between all of this knowledge. Often there are answers and solutions just waiting to be taken up yet those in need are not aware that the answers to their needs is just an email or a telephone call away. To develop such a knowledge base would not really be difficult, I have seen it done before, government s do it all the time with collection and collation by their intelligence agencies. There are computer programs that are used by policing agencies and police forces that are available to the public, these programs use sophisticated algorithms based on fractals to link all sorts of data that is not obviously linked. All one then needs is to precis the gained and developed knowledge and push email it to as many as possible .
1 Comment
One wonders sometimes if there is a lack of curiosity that no database will cure. Also, a database is only as good as the quality of its information. Regarding information quality, there is a citation problem in academic publications. These seem to be citing patents less and less. In an applied field, like water, failure to cite these cite-able references obfuscates where the cutting edge is, makes everything look like a new discovery, and gives the false impression that academics are the sole innovators. Nothing could be further from the truth and academia is in reality a very small piece of the innovation pie.
Published by Marc Andelman