Rah rah, Data, Go, go, go

SwarmDroneDessertBoing

Data as an enthusiasm or even hobby is in the air. As noted in an Economist article (Briefing: Clever Cities: The Multiplexed Metropolis –Sept 7 2013, p.21. ) But does close inspection of the results to date tell us the enthusiasm is warranted? Is this truly like the introduction of electricity to the city? 

One young Dutchman developed a mobile app that tapped into open data to predict the best and easiest areas of city to rob. This was done thankfully in this instance to kindle debate. The Smarter City has a Darker Side, and not just in SciFi.

Anyway, who benefited most from the introduction of electricity, and if data is as powerful a game changer, who will benefit most on this go-round? "The importance of political culture will remain" the writer opines. And it is true. The political culture likely remains more important than any transient technology advance - in terms of how the pie gets cut up.

Human behavior is good and bad. If there is a bad side, there is an app for that.