Using Flash Crowds to Automatically Detect Earthquakes & Impact Before Anyone Else
It is said that our planet has a new nervous system; a digital nervous system comprised of digital veins and intertwined sensors that capture the pulse of our planet in near real-time. Next generation humanitarian technologies seek to leverage this new nervous system to detect and diagnose the impact of disasters within minutes rather than hours. To this end, LastQuake may be one of the most impressive humanitarian technologies that I have recently come across. Spearheaded by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC), the technology combines “Flashsourcing” with social media monitoring to auto-detect earthquakes before they’re picked up by seismometers or anyone else.
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Indeed, the Center’s important work clearly demonstrates how the Internet coupled with social media are “creating new potential for rapid and massive public involvement by both active and passive means” vis-a-vis earthquake detection and impact assessments.
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In sum, EMSC is connecting an impressive ecosystem of smart, digital technologies powered by a variety of methodologies.
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Phi Beta Iota: This important work strikes us as foundation for public engagement in every issue of importance — combining ready access to true cost economic information and choice-creating conversations across all boundaries, the way is open toward “extreme democracy.” All people have to do is pay attention and stop buying crap.
