This is a topic which interests me a lot, because I worked on an emerging risk system for pests and diseases affecting plants and animals. One of the things I learned looking at the issue was that there was often a lack of communication between people who were aware of something emerging and people needing to take action on it. But there was also a "too much information" problem, where there was so much coming in that was potentially of interest that the really crucial pieces of evidence got missed.
Yes, absolutely! The flood of information makes it hard (and this is I think one place where machine learning will really help us by sorting through vast data volumes to identify anomalies). The communication piece is true, in my experience. Organizations that are either small enough or flexible/open-minded enough to heed information that gets flagged by their people *regardless of rank and hierarchy* tend to be more effective. Otherwise, the information can get squelched by reporting lines and politics and never get to someone who could action it.
This is an interesting topic Stephanie. Modelling the thermodynamics and the flow of liquids and gases in a small and enclosed space is real hard. The planet doesn't qualify as a small and enclosed space. I think really talented and hard-working people are doing their thing. I think what I liked about this post is the sensibility that there are a whole lot of surprises ahead. Great advice to look for the anomalies and the unexpected. Love your writing. Always makes me think.
LOL, yeah, "we need more data." I feel like that's finally stopping, because the in-our-face evidence is just too strong now, but it's taken way too long.
The feeling I have on dealing with climate change is that everyone is hoping we will figure out a magic solution that will work without having to make any major changes ( a la COVID vaccine). Not sure though if that will happen in this case.
Yeah, the temptation of the mythical magic solution is strong! My hypothesis is that real change requires ready substitutes that are approximately as good or better.... which is why we haven't seen calls for sacrifice in the name of climate change gaining big traction. The tradeoffs aren't balanced enough for most people yet. Ugly, but (I think) could be true.
This is a topic which interests me a lot, because I worked on an emerging risk system for pests and diseases affecting plants and animals. One of the things I learned looking at the issue was that there was often a lack of communication between people who were aware of something emerging and people needing to take action on it. But there was also a "too much information" problem, where there was so much coming in that was potentially of interest that the really crucial pieces of evidence got missed.
Yes, absolutely! The flood of information makes it hard (and this is I think one place where machine learning will really help us by sorting through vast data volumes to identify anomalies). The communication piece is true, in my experience. Organizations that are either small enough or flexible/open-minded enough to heed information that gets flagged by their people *regardless of rank and hierarchy* tend to be more effective. Otherwise, the information can get squelched by reporting lines and politics and never get to someone who could action it.
This is an interesting topic Stephanie. Modelling the thermodynamics and the flow of liquids and gases in a small and enclosed space is real hard. The planet doesn't qualify as a small and enclosed space. I think really talented and hard-working people are doing their thing. I think what I liked about this post is the sensibility that there are a whole lot of surprises ahead. Great advice to look for the anomalies and the unexpected. Love your writing. Always makes me think.
Thanks, Mark! I appreciate your reading and thinking about my essays and so enjoy sharing thoughts on risk and life.
Accurate record keeping of temperatures began in 1880. I don’t understand why many believe global warming is a crisis. Thx. 😃
LOL, yeah, "we need more data." I feel like that's finally stopping, because the in-our-face evidence is just too strong now, but it's taken way too long.
The feeling I have on dealing with climate change is that everyone is hoping we will figure out a magic solution that will work without having to make any major changes ( a la COVID vaccine). Not sure though if that will happen in this case.
Yeah, the temptation of the mythical magic solution is strong! My hypothesis is that real change requires ready substitutes that are approximately as good or better.... which is why we haven't seen calls for sacrifice in the name of climate change gaining big traction. The tradeoffs aren't balanced enough for most people yet. Ugly, but (I think) could be true.