Category: Knowledge

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Worth a Look: Public Laboratory DIY Environmental Mapping

Knowledge, Worth A Look

publiclabThe Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science (Public Lab) is a community which develops and applies open-source tools to environmental exploration and investigation. By democratizing inexpensive and accessible “Do-It-Yourself” techniques, Public Laboratory creates a collaborative network of practitioners who actively re-imagine the human relationship with the environment.

The core Public Lab program is focused on “civic science” in which we research open source hardware and software tools and methods to generate knowledge and share data about community environmental health. Our goal is to increase the ability of underserved communities to identify, redress, remediate, and create awareness and accountability around environmental concerns. Public Lab achieves this by providing online and offline training, education and support, and by focusing on locally-relevant outcomes that emphasize human capacity and understanding.

Download a PDF overview of Public Laboratory's work here: public-laboratory-overview-11-22-11.pdf

Join now at: publiclaboratory.org/join

We're developing new tools in the spirit of Grassroots Mapping, meaning:

  • low cost
  • data legibility (including a preference for maps and other rich visual means of representation)
  • ease of use/low barrier to entry
  • public participation
  • high quality, environmentally and socially relevant data
  • creative reuse of consumer technology
  • open source and user modifiable design

Learn more.

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12 Mar to 30 Apr 2013 Online Consciousness Conversations ($249)

Knowledge

The Consciousness Conversations

March 12, 2013 ,05:00 PM – April 30, 2013 ,06:30 PM

 A Visionary Dialogue with Ervin Laszlo, Claire Zammit, Craig Hamilton, Lynne McTaggart, Marilyn Schlitz, Pim van Lommel, John Hagelin and Fred Travis.

Hosted by The Intelligent Optimist’s Jurriaan Kamp

The coming expansion of consciousness will change the world beyond anything we can imagine. That’s the premise and promise of our first Visionary Dialogue featuring some of the leading minds—and souls—in the field in conversation with each other and with you about topics like:

• Is a new era of consciousness really on its way? How do we know?

• What will it look like? What effect will it have?

• How can we be active participants in its emergence?

In past centuries, humanity has pursued the discovery of everything that could be seen and touched. The overwhelming question regarding the “why” of our existence—the understanding of consciousness—was shoved aside for the sake of convenience. But that doesn’t mean evolution can escape the question. Physicists are discovering ever-smaller particles. It seems that matter ultimately dissolves in energy. At the same time, brain research shows that our thoughts—proof of our consciousness—are energy as well. So the science of matter may be leading to the question of consciousness, bringing us closer to our biggest “why?”

Learn more.

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John Maguire: Systems Approach to Physics and Cosmology

Knowledge
maguireSubquantum Kinetics is a novel conceptualization of physics pioneered by Dr. Paul LaViolette. As both a physicist and systems theorist Dr. LaViolette views subatomic particles as open, interdependent, fluctuating entities governed by the laws of Ecological Non-Linear Dynamics. This contrasts starkly with the classical view that conceives the subatomic world as both closed and immutable. If we come to accept the findings of SQK, a whole new world of renewable energy, transportation, and communication technologies could potentially emerge.
Linked here is a general outline of this systems approach to physics and cosmology that can be read and understood by the layman. More of Paul's work can be found at starburstfound.org
Model-GHere is a portrait of cross-catalytic reaction that is a central underpinning to LaViolette's theory.
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Berto Jongman: Emerging Scientific Field & Child Geniuses

Knowledge
Berto Jongman
Berto Jongman

11 Emerging Scientific Fields That Everyone Should Know About

There was a time when science could be broken down into neat-and-tidy disciplines — straightforward things like biology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy. But as science advances, these fields are becoming increasingly specialized and interdisciplinary, leading to entirely new avenues of inquiry. Here are 11 emerging scientific fields you should know about.

LIST ONLY:

1. Neuroparasitology
2. Quantum Biology
3. Exo-meteorology
4. Nutrigenomics
5. Cliodynamics
6. Synthetic Biology
7. Recombinant Memetics
8. Computational Social Science
9. Cognitive Economics
10. Organic Electronics
11. Quantitative Biology

Read about each discipline.

Leading scientists shocked by the achievements of Russian indigo-children

In recent years the phrase ‘indigo-children’ has become a buzz-word for those youngsters whose intellectual potential significantly surpasses that of most adult scientists. While many remain skeptical towards the idea of the ‘genius youth’, one can hardly ignore the growing number of teenagers endowed with exceptional and often unprecedented talents in various spheres of science and humanities.

Read full article.

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Michel Bauwens: 3D Printing Merging Physical and Digital

Innovation, Knowledge, Manufacturing, P2P / Panarchy, Politics
Michel Bauwens
Michel Bauwens

As posted by Jean Lievens to Peer2Politics.

3D printing provides an opportunity to change the way we think about the world around us. [1] It merges the physical and the digital. People on opposite sides of the globe can collaborate on designing an object and print out identical prototypes every step of the way. Instead of purchasing one of a million identical objects built in a faraway factory, users can customize pre-designed objects and print them out at home. Just as computers have allowed us to become makers of movies, writers of articles, and creators of music, 3D printers allow everyone to become creators of things.

What's the Deal with Copyright and 3D Printing?

January 29, 2013

This whitepaper is also available as a PDF and can be purchased on the Amazon Kindle Store.

EXTRACT

Ultimately then, the burden is on the community and the organizations that host the community not to blindly assume that copyright covers everything. This is not to say that copyright should be rejected, or that legal orders should be ignored. Instead, it is a reminder of the value of healthy skepticism. If someone is asserting copyright over an object, take a moment to consider if copyright can even apply in that case. Make assertions of infringement public so that the wider community can understand who is claiming what kinds of rights.

Read full article.

Phi Beta Iota:  Of scholastic quality and densely footnotes, this is a formidable review of copyright, 3D printing, and community culture.

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Michel Bauwens: The Materially Finite Global Economy Metered in a Unified Physical Currency

Economics/True Cost, Geospatial, Governance, Knowledge
Michel Bauwens
Michel Bauwens

Book Chapter, 31 Pages, Open Access, Read Online or Download as PDF

Summary:  financial measures created by bankers and governments are lies writ large — they are totally isolated from the physical reality of the biosphere, and utterly corrupt — therefore they are part of the problem, not part of the solution.  The author proposes a more holistic, integral approach with deep integrity that eliminates corruption, the externalization of natural resource costs to the public or the future, and the radical reduction of waste now charged off as an external diseconomy for which corporations and governments are not held accountable.  This may well be a ROOT document for any intelligence professional aspiring to be relevant to the public interest going into the future.