I just saw an extraordinary 20 minute video of Hans Rosling (Professor of International Health at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet) demonstrating how 30 years of historic changes have exploded conventional wisdom about the developing world. I recommend it for three reasons:
It's the best overview of these changes I've seen. It's hard to imagine doing a better job in the same amount of time.
Every scientist should see how animated graphs can bring data to life and make complex changes crystal clear.
In the last five minutes, Rosling makes a compelling case for open access to the publicly-funded data he used in his presentation. With better access to the data, we can take quicker and more intelligent action.
PS: Rosling had a hand in developing the free animated graphics software he used in the presentation. For the software, and for online interactive versions of some of his graphs, see Gapminder.
Posted by
Peter Suber at 11/22/2006 03:44:00 PM.
The open access movement:
Putting peer-reviewed scientific and scholarly literature
on the internet. Making it available free of charge and
free of most copyright and licensing restrictions.
Removing the barriers to serious research.
I recommend the OA tracking project (OATP) as the best way to stay on top of new OA developments. You can read the OATP feed on a blog-like web page or subscribe to it by RSS, email, or Twitter. You can also help build the feed by tagging new developments you encounter.
