Excerpt from the article:
“We must change the way we think,” [Jack Dangermond, Esri President] continued, “Humans are ingenious, and we must take action. If we are to solve the severe problems we’re facing, a shift in thought needs to occur. Not everyone will change after seeing the evidence, but if we can get enough people to see the truth, then the tide will turn.” How does the intelligent nervous system deliver knowledge to people that will enable this change in thought? Story maps are a good example. They present knowledge in a way that’s easy to understand. Spatial data is integrated with maps, text, and other visual media and presented in a guided user experience. Studies have shown that stories communicate knowledge better than charts and figures, so this is a natural way to inform someone about something new.
I saw another instance of this knowledge sharing in the form of a company. I found 2NDNATURE in the startup zone, and they’re a woman-owned business led by scientists. They make it easy for governments to collect water quality data during field inspections through an intuitive app, which enables stakeholders to make data-driven decisions on actions that can reduce pollution in streams, rivers, and lakes. They take it a step further, though, and help people engage with the world around them. The collected data is analyzed and made available through a public dashboard where residents can see what condition their water systems are in. When you see how your actions, or those of your neighbors, are affecting the place you live, it suddenly becomes more real. Rather than trying to understand an abstract global issue, people can focus on what’s in front of them and feel empowered to take action as a result. This is the power of the intelligent nervous system: collect, analyze, decide, and communicate at scales that weren’t possible before.
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