The recent WHO report about the impact of social inequities on individual health suggests that a human's abilities to pursue correlations directed inward and outward with respect to skin, family and culture are intertwined. Of course this is not a surprise, but they also make the case that the effects are dramatic.
They further argue that the first line of attack against this problem is not the hiring of more doctors, but the empowering of individuals. The good news there is that the former will take lots of money, but that a great deal may be accomplished in the latter regard with only the help of globally mobile ideas.
What's the best way to proceed from here? Some viral videos or catchy tunes? How about programs that consider the everyday citizen? Where are the latter already helping at home and abroad?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Organism centricity
As organisms ourselves, it's natural for us to think that the world centers around the structure and survival of organisms. The structure of processes, and survival of codes, may seem incidental in this context. As a result the organism story might get more than its share of attention.
Codes that don't get their share of attention include idea codes. These can now find their way into hearts and minds across the globe, in less time than it takes to shake a stick. Of course we transmit them willy-nilly, but we discuss their role as agents much less.
Processes that don't get their share of attention include those of correlation building that each of us does in (a) developing friendships, (b) maintaining families, (c) supporting communities, (d) honoring beliefs, and (e) extending human awareness of the world around. The effect of disasters and policy changes on these things doesn't normally show up in the body count, but that doesn't make them any less important.
Codes that don't get their share of attention include idea codes. These can now find their way into hearts and minds across the globe, in less time than it takes to shake a stick. Of course we transmit them willy-nilly, but we discuss their role as agents much less.
Processes that don't get their share of attention include those of correlation building that each of us does in (a) developing friendships, (b) maintaining families, (c) supporting communities, (d) honoring beliefs, and (e) extending human awareness of the world around. The effect of disasters and policy changes on these things doesn't normally show up in the body count, but that doesn't make them any less important.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The greater good
Fans of Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" series, or A. E. van Vogt's "Voyage of the Space Beagle", may imagine that science will one day help us find the correct "equation of greater good" with which to guide policy decisions. Don't count on it.
If idea pools in cultural communities are like gene pools in communities of social animals, then "greater good equations" will compete with one another. In fact, they already do. Rather than being given or deduced, such equations evolve by selective replication just as nucleic acid strings evolve in complex multi-species communities (like a tide pool).
Although science can still offer sound insight into elements of the greater good, rather than dictating the equation it will be up to science to make its case for consideration by cultures across the globe. The good news is that this can have very positive results. The bad news is that some still see science as a (good or bad) replacement for culture, rather than as a natural complement.
If idea pools in cultural communities are like gene pools in communities of social animals, then "greater good equations" will compete with one another. In fact, they already do. Rather than being given or deduced, such equations evolve by selective replication just as nucleic acid strings evolve in complex multi-species communities (like a tide pool).
Although science can still offer sound insight into elements of the greater good, rather than dictating the equation it will be up to science to make its case for consideration by cultures across the globe. The good news is that this can have very positive results. The bad news is that some still see science as a (good or bad) replacement for culture, rather than as a natural complement.
Multiscale traditions
Here's the technical question: What are some elements of existing culture that nurture awareness on multiple scales of space, time and organization, and how might we evolve them so that they do this better downstream? Let's start a list...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Idea-toriality
How does claiming credit for an idea compare to territorial marking by wolves? How does it differ?
Does such marking affect your intuition about potential value? Does it prompt others to examine an idea more carefully? Is there any context where it also chases interlopers away?
Do wolves and/or people ever mistake this marking ritual for a goal in and of itself? If so, what real tasks at hand might they be distracted from as a result?
Does such marking affect your intuition about potential value? Does it prompt others to examine an idea more carefully? Is there any context where it also chases interlopers away?
Do wolves and/or people ever mistake this marking ritual for a goal in and of itself? If so, what real tasks at hand might they be distracted from as a result?
Friday, July 11, 2008
Lightly salted
I'm not sure how to take the product label: "lightly salted". Is that good news, or bad news dressed up to look good? Compare to "only a touch of sweetness" and "rarely kills patients with no warning"...
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Salsa mystery
Many of the issues discussed in this blog relate to the tomato salmonella problem currently in the news. One of these, of course, is the delocalized nature of our food supply and the ignorance about where that tomato came from.
Perhaps a more important issue is our failure to put facts into media communications to help consumers take responsibility for their decisions. When the FDA is not sure about a cause, they should tell us the facts rather than pretend to protect us with vague and global pronouncements e.g. "distrust tomatoes". In other words, share data with consumers as though they are responsible decision makers (like which of how many salsa eaters got sick where), and then don't speculate but wait until you have more that's worthwhile to say.
Another key role for the media, after they first convey some specifics, is to discuss with consumers ways to make decisions in the face of quantitative as well as qualitative information. Earlier entries on bytes of risk, and everyday nanodecisions, touch on that area. Given that the avenues to inform consumers and voters are potentially broader than they used to be, we'll try to spend more time on that downstream.
Perhaps a more important issue is our failure to put facts into media communications to help consumers take responsibility for their decisions. When the FDA is not sure about a cause, they should tell us the facts rather than pretend to protect us with vague and global pronouncements e.g. "distrust tomatoes". In other words, share data with consumers as though they are responsible decision makers (like which of how many salsa eaters got sick where), and then don't speculate but wait until you have more that's worthwhile to say.
Another key role for the media, after they first convey some specifics, is to discuss with consumers ways to make decisions in the face of quantitative as well as qualitative information. Earlier entries on bytes of risk, and everyday nanodecisions, touch on that area. Given that the avenues to inform consumers and voters are potentially broader than they used to be, we'll try to spend more time on that downstream.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)