SpenniesThe Freedom of Information age
March 9th 2007 13:25
Yet another triumph for freedom of information this week (it's a recurring theme lately, I know).
The Guardian reports that British scientists are leading an international effort to create a database that will supply researchers around the world with access to all the known geological information about every single country that exists.
[link]
The benefits of such a database are enormous: the tracking of global geologic changes, the location of natural resources, the prediction of large scale natural disasters, etc.
The project, called OneGeology, will be accessible via the internet, giving researches instant access to any information they need.
More and more databases such as these are being created, probably due to a recognised need that information, particularly that which aims to benefit humanity, should be freely accessible to those who want it/need it.
Google Earth gives anyone with a computer the chance to observe our planet in a way that only scientists could just a few years ago.
Only last month WikiLeaks was launched, putting the emphasis on the importance of freedom of information and protecting those who want to speak out against the injustices of their government without fear of retribution.
If scientists and researches are finally starting to realise the all-too-obvious benefits of freedom of information, why aren't more groups following suit?
Why aren't medics creating an international database of disease, their history, their known cures and their progression, so that even a doctor stuck in the sub-Saharan desert can access this information when he needs to?
Why aren't journalists creating a global pool of information with the best sources, research methods and tools?
It looks like things are finally starting to change and let's hope that it won't be too long before some of these things are manifested. It's becoming increasingly clear that we need to recognise freedom of information as the calling card of our society, the manifestation of all our hard work in the areas of technology, science and medicine, and the pinnacle of our existence.
The Guardian reports that British scientists are leading an international effort to create a database that will supply researchers around the world with access to all the known geological information about every single country that exists.
[link]
The benefits of such a database are enormous: the tracking of global geologic changes, the location of natural resources, the prediction of large scale natural disasters, etc.
More and more databases such as these are being created, probably due to a recognised need that information, particularly that which aims to benefit humanity, should be freely accessible to those who want it/need it.
Google Earth gives anyone with a computer the chance to observe our planet in a way that only scientists could just a few years ago.
Only last month WikiLeaks was launched, putting the emphasis on the importance of freedom of information and protecting those who want to speak out against the injustices of their government without fear of retribution.
If scientists and researches are finally starting to realise the all-too-obvious benefits of freedom of information, why aren't more groups following suit?
Why aren't medics creating an international database of disease, their history, their known cures and their progression, so that even a doctor stuck in the sub-Saharan desert can access this information when he needs to?
Why aren't journalists creating a global pool of information with the best sources, research methods and tools?
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