Fragments From Floyd

"Over the last 12 months, more data has been collected than since the beginning of science" states one expert.
And computational brains are necessary to sort it all and make planet-saving predictions about disease, hurricanes, weather patterns and the impact of pollution.

And so the recently convened "Towards 2020 Science" group proposes that computational "science" should become a co-equal partner with the "hard sciences", working hand in hand with geneticists, biologists, meteorologists, geologists and nano-manufacturers in what may amount to a paradigm shift, a knowledge-and-science revolution in the coming decade.

"The weight of human existence on the planet has begun to break down the very systems on which we depend, and it is vital that we increase our knowledge of complex physical and biological systems through scientific advances," said Stephen Emmott, director of Microsoft's scientific research programs in Europe and chairman of the 2020 Science Group. "This report establishes the necessity of applying the cutting edge of computer science to more quickly find solutions to the challenges we are facing."

In addition to presenting these and other findings, the report makes ten recommendations, stressing these needs: to put science and science-based innovation at the top of society's priorities; to reconsider how the scientists of tomorrow are inspired and educated at all age levels; and to find new ways to raise public awareness of the importance of scientific research and raise its profile on the political agenda. Microsoft Research Cambridge will be providing 2.5 million euro to the scientific community through a call for proposals to support new research that specifically addresses the areas outlined by the 2020 Science Group.

Can we get there from here, considering our sad underperformance in science education? Who decides what goes into the computational models? How is this knowledge translated into action? What if the current regime doesn't "believe in" the conservation called for by the model or the existence of dead zones in the ocean, even if the supercomputers show it plainly as the best solution? What if the reports generated by such colossal "intelligence" runs contrary to the corporate bottom line or undermines the platform of the party in power? And what is needed to make us wiser as we get "smarter?" Inquiring but admittedly puny single brains want to know.