There will always be questions about the appropriate way to release new knowledge, especially in the giant arena of what counts for science. However, if I look at this product objectively I love it. Everyone has access and anyone can review recent scientific findings and even jayne/joe public is allowed to comment. This just might help to demystify the Ivory Towers of urban political myth."The scientist values knowledge; the inventor takes pleasure in seeing the leap from a dry formula to an impact on people's lives, to making a difference in the real world. Invention in technology is a form of magic: revealing the methods does not ruin its effect. There is magic to any creation," said Kurzweil - MIT Tech Talk on December 5, 2001.
I think the more rapidly quality information is available to the masses the better off we will be. I know, it sounds like such a simple straightforward idea in practice, but in fact it has been so difficult to put in practice in general and specifically in Science. There are popular science magazines which help enthusiasts get excited about discoveries...but often don't provide enough nuts and bolts for practical application. Then there are the refereed science journals, usually only available in large research libraries, or at a prohibitively costly personal subscription. Lots of good and bad science has died in the stacks. Textbooks can serve as a bridge, but too often the information printed in them is woefully out-of-date and poorly checked for factual error.
Plos ONE is one of a growing number of cases demonstrating that the Internet can do more than help distribute counterfeit medicines for ED and serve as a public clearing house for porn. Plos ONE can help bridge the gap and make some of the newest information available to the next great inventor out there.
4 comments:
Speaking of distribution of information, I haven't seen any posts about getting a crib setup, or painting a room for the new arrivial, or even how things are progressing?
Seems like things are close according to the countdown. Has the little one been throwing wild parties keeping Christine up?
I had somewhat assumed the light posting updates here were due to dealing with those type of things, but then I saw it's because you're running no fewer than three other blogs in addition to Strangers on the side. You seem busy.
using Ginger's name to leave comments now :-)
no baby yet, but the due date is next Thursday and based on a recent dr.'s visit she will carry it to full term. I'll definitely have a post after that adventure.
posting has been slow...I have 5 courses this semester (usually on 3 or 4), but our horticulture group got a grant for tissue culture, so we have been shifting responsibilities around to allow for grant completion...
That was an accident (I was upstairs on her machine and forgot about the ID thing since the login was automatic), and I deleted the comment and releft it as me.
Feel free to delete the comment itself since it's just cluttering up stuff now.
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