Indifference to dark data

We should learn from recent experience of large data technologies the lesson that decision making can benefit from streaming data in addition to (and often instead of) the publication science of one-time experiments.    It is clear now that policy making needs access to a continuous stream fresh data about old ideas, especially when that data accumulates over time.   With access to the technologies to do this work, it is unacceptable to base policies on the failed approaches of the past that rely on published studies.

Thoughts on New Horizons to Pluto

The New Horizons is a probe on its way to Pluto due to arrive about a year from now.   The launch was 8 years ago and with only modest publicity.   Given its current location and status, there isn’t much reason to pay attention to it.    It has my attention, for some reason.…