I don't necessarily see any of the above charts as showing 'problems', and therefore I don't think a resolution is required. I simply think the data demonstrates ways in which society is evolving. If it's evolving for 'good' or 'bad' is really just subjective.
I bet the trends that are identified in the data continue, but how they manifest in society over longer periods is unknowable. Perhaps future generations will be less social (as defined traditionally) but maybe they will have such a grasp of technology that it enables them to cure cancer.
As you know I’m an engineer. One of our tools has always been data to support our thesis and conclusions. In my early career I worked extensively in instrumentation to support machinery analysis. I remember listening to a Physicist with a PHD who was trying to justify additional resources in the Naval community by looking at parts usage on different propulsion machinery. He showed a chart of parts requisitions through the material commands. He pointed out some increases in the last year as potential indicators of future equipment failures. ( The graphs did in fact show increases ).
From my perspective sitting in this conference the problem wasn’t the data it was his conclusions. I raised my hand and said Mark ( his first name). I concur that your graph shows the increases in requisitions but did you ever consider that maybe the part requests were just a Battle Group with numerous ships including large platform ships including aircraft carriers returning from deployment and resupplying their storerooms.
Not saying I was right but that sometimes we need to look at changes in data not just to support an argument but as a step in our thorough process of problem identification with the most important step being problem resolution.
Ken, thanks for the comment.
I don't necessarily see any of the above charts as showing 'problems', and therefore I don't think a resolution is required. I simply think the data demonstrates ways in which society is evolving. If it's evolving for 'good' or 'bad' is really just subjective.
I bet the trends that are identified in the data continue, but how they manifest in society over longer periods is unknowable. Perhaps future generations will be less social (as defined traditionally) but maybe they will have such a grasp of technology that it enables them to cure cancer.
Thanks for reading.
Jack
As you know I’m an engineer. One of our tools has always been data to support our thesis and conclusions. In my early career I worked extensively in instrumentation to support machinery analysis. I remember listening to a Physicist with a PHD who was trying to justify additional resources in the Naval community by looking at parts usage on different propulsion machinery. He showed a chart of parts requisitions through the material commands. He pointed out some increases in the last year as potential indicators of future equipment failures. ( The graphs did in fact show increases ).
From my perspective sitting in this conference the problem wasn’t the data it was his conclusions. I raised my hand and said Mark ( his first name). I concur that your graph shows the increases in requisitions but did you ever consider that maybe the part requests were just a Battle Group with numerous ships including large platform ships including aircraft carriers returning from deployment and resupplying their storerooms.
Not saying I was right but that sometimes we need to look at changes in data not just to support an argument but as a step in our thorough process of problem identification with the most important step being problem resolution.