Châtenay-Malabry (FR - 92290), 5 February 2018
EFITA newsletter / 812 - European Federation for Information Technology
in Agriculture, Food and the Environment
Tenemos motivos de sobra para ser optimistas
Una corriente de pensamiento en alza promueve la fe en el constante
avance humano. Steven Pinker ofrece sorprendentes indicadores para medir
el progreso
Ver: https://elpais.com/cultura/2018/02/02/actualidad/1517595455_554752.html
The world as 100 people over the last two centuries
 |
Enlightenment Now. The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and
Progress
'My new favourite book of all time' Bill Gates
Is modernity really failing? Or have we failed to appreciate progress
and the ideals that make it possible?
If you follow the headlines, the world in the 21st century appears to
be sinking into chaos, hatred, and irrationality. Yet Steven Pinker shows
that this is an illusion - a symptom of historical amnesia and statistical
fallacies. If you follow the trendlines rather than the headlines, you
discover that our lives have become longer, healthier, safer, happier,
more peaceful, more stimulating and more prosperous - not just in the
West, but worldwide. Such progress is no accident: it's the gift of a
coherent and inspiring value system that many of us embrace without even
realizing it. These are the values of the Enlightenment: of reason, science,
humanism and progress.
The challenges we face today are formidable, including inequality, climate
change, Artificial Intelligence and nuclear weapons. But the way to deal
with them is not to sink into despair or try to lurch back to a mythical
idyllic past; it's to treat them as problems we can solve, as we have
solved other problems in the past. In making the case for an Enlightenment
newly recharged for the 21st century, Pinker shows how we can use our
faculties of reason and sympathy to solve the problems that inevitably
come with being products of evolution in an indifferent universe. We will
never have a perfect world, but - defying the chorus of fatalism and reaction
- we can continue to make it a better one.
See: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/267227/enlightenment-now/
Steven Pinker: The case for reason, science, humanism, and progress
- OFFinNY
Is democratic progress inevitable, or does it require constant work?
At OFF in NY, author and Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker used statistical
data and historical trends to paint a picture of the state of the world's
democratic ideals. While media trends continue to portray global events
in a more negative light, Steven showed us how the world is actually becoming
more free and democratic with every decade — but only due to the hard
work and dedication of activists, journalists, and politicians.
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz_fh1TJqNo
To correspond with me (GW), please use this address: guy.waksman(a)laposte.net
To subscribe the efita newsletter (please ask your friends and colleagues
to test this link)
See: http://www.informatique-agricole.org/efitas-newsletter-subscription/
Weekly newsletters about ICT in Agriculture in English and French
Both newsletters have around 14000 subscribers.
>>> Last weekly EFITA Newsletters in English (created in 1999)
See: http://www.informatique-agricole.org/efita-newsletters/
>>> Last weekly AFIA Newsletters in French (created 20 years
ago in 1997)
Voir : http://www.informatique-agricole.org/les-gazettes/
Around 15% of subscribers have a look on these newsletters. A rather normal
rate…
The archive for the last years are available on the AFIA web site.
|
Séminaires |
>>>
Journée Internet des Objets (IoT) en agriculture – le
28 avril 2017 à Boigneville |
Cast Your Vote in the AgFunder Innovation Awards
It’s that time of year again to recognize the innovators and entrepreneurs driving the agrifood tech sector forward with the AgFunder Innovation Awards. These are peer-selected awards based on votes placed by you, our 45,000-strong network. The winners will be exclusively announced at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco in March.
Last year, we awarded 23 startups across five categories. Since then those winners have raised over $650 million, including one of the year’s largest rounds, a $110 million Series D for Farmers Business Network. And we even had an exit with Blue River Technology — winner of the Most Innovative US Startups at Series A and Beyond category — acquired by strategic heavyweight John Deere.
This year we have refined our process to make it easier for our network to participate, and have created a shortlist of candidates for each category to vote from.
To remain as impartial in the process as possible, we put together a nomination committee of global agrifood tech investors to nominate startups into each category and now it's your turn.
Last year: https://agfundernews.com/agfunder-releases-winners-inaugural-agfunder-innovation-awards.html
See: https://agfundernews.com/breaking-cast-vote-agfunder-innovation-awards.html
Precision Planting unveils new products, research capabilities
Now available: Precision Planting’s new 20/20 monitor, a single-meter multi-hybrid planter option and a downforce system for air seeders. Plus, test-drive tech at the new Precision Technology Institute in Pontiac, Ill.
See: http://www.farmindustrynews.com/technology/precision-planting-unveils-new-products-research-capabilities
Monitoring and Control Systems: Innovating the future of agriculture by Precision planting
See: http://www.precisionplanting.com/#products/
Driverless tractors: Robotic harvesting technology passes on-farm testing.
http://www.farmindustrynews.com/technology/driverless-tractors
Tech raises questions, but how do you answer?
Sensors, modelling, and artificial intelligence will change the way we farm, but it'll take time.
See: http://www.farmindustrynews.com/technology/tech-raises-questions-how-do-you-answer
Changing wireless rules affect RTK by Willie Vogt
Farmers who use cellular correction for precision ag may need to make a tech upgrade.
See: http://www.farmindustrynews.com/technology/changing-wireless-rules-affect-rtk
Teledetección aplicada en Olivicultura de Precisión
Una de las tecnologías de mayor potencial para la gestión del olivar: conocer el vigor vegetal, el estado nutricional e hídrico del cultivo, el grado y severidad de una enfermedad o plaga y valorar tratamientos de las malas hierbas para actuar en consecuencia.
Ver : http://oliviculturadeprecision.com/#/teledeteccion-aplicada-en-olivicultura-de-precision/
ICT In Agriculture Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Development Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2022
See: http://www.kminsights.com/request-sample-17188
Big Data Analytics in Agriculture Market”: Which Would Be the Major Factors Responsible for Global Market Growth?
See: http://www.kminsights.com/request-sample-171108
|
|
|
The short history of global living conditions and why it matters that we know it by Max Roser
A recent survey asked “All things considered, do you think the world is getting better or worse, or neither getting better nor worse?”. In Sweden 10% thought things are getting better, in the US they were only 6%, and in Germany only 4%. Very few people think that the world is getting better.
What is the evidence that we need to consider when answering this question? The question is about how the world has changed and so we must take a historical perspective. And the question is about the world as a whole and the answer must therefore consider everybody. The answer must consider the history of global living conditions – a history of everyone.
See: https://ourworldindata.org/a-history-of-global-living-conditions-in-5-charts
What portion of Americans killed in vehicle crashes are not wearing seatbelts? (in USA)
I was stunned by the answer when I saw it yesterday. It has hovered between 48 percent and 51 percent in each of the past five years.
David Leonhardt in the NYT
See: https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/facts.html
Faces of Palm Oil
Faces of Palm Oil is a joint project of the National Association of Small Holders (NASH), the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), the Dayak Oil Palm Planters Association (DOPPA), and the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) that seeks to advocate on behalf of Malaysian small farmers.
See: http://facesofpalmoil.org/
Bayer: Transparency - Access to Crop Protection Safety Data
“Our company mission is Science for a Better Life, which means we innovate to benefit our customers and society. As an innovation company we also have the responsibility to ensure that all our products are completely safe when used according to label instructions. As innovation is only helpful if it is understood and appreciated, Bayer has taken the initiative to share safety-related data of its compounds, which was previously only disclosed to regulatory authorities. Bayer is taking the lead with this initiative to promote transparency, foster understanding of the exceptional safety standards required for crop protection products and create a platform for open dialogue on questions related to safety with customers and the general public.”
Liam Condon, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer and President of the Crop Science Division
See: https://cropscience-transparency.bayer.com
Monsanto Opens Innovation Center at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
See: https://eresearch.fidelity.com/eresearch/goto/evaluate/news/basicNewsStory.jhtml
¿Por qué no cambiamos de opinión aunque nos demuestren que estamos equivocados?
Los datos contrastados convencen menos que los mensajes emocionales. Diversos estudios revelan las limitaciones de la razón.
Ver: https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/01/26/ciencia/1516965692_948158.html
Solo te creeré si me dices lo que quiero oír
Cuando los datos contradicen nuestras convicciones, solemos ignorarlos o manipularlos para adaptarlos a unas ideas preconcebidas. Así lo hacen los creacionistas, los antivacunas y los ‘conspiranoicos’ del 11-S.
Ver: https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/01/26/ciencia/1516966815_366077.html
Speech by Michel Barnier at the Centre for European Reform on 'The Future of the EU'
Brussels, 20 November 2017
See: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-4765_en.htm
|
|
The
Efita newsletter is sponsored by:
|
My age (GW)
 |
Our American friends seen by our British friends
I'm American, and I'm sick of people saying America is "the stupidest country in the world.", personally, I think Europe is the stupidest country in the world.
|
Next
Efita
Congress in Greece in 2019! |
EFITA
President: Michael Clasen |
The distribution of this efita newsletter is sponsored by vitisphere.com
Please, contribute to the content of your efita newsletter, and advertise your events, new publications, new products and new project in this newsletter. Without your support, it will not survive!
Contact: Guy WAKSMAN
E-mail: guy.waksman(a)laposte.net
To read this newsletter on our web site
See: http://www.informatique-agricole.org/gazette/efita/efita_180205_812.htm
The archives of this newsletter
See: http://www.informatique-agricole.org/category/gazette-efita/
Jokes, Quotes and Anecdotes... an Anatomy of Wit
Mick Harkin, ex Secretary of EFITA, who has kept us amused with his
Friday Jokes over the years, has published a book on Amazon entitled "Jokes,
Quotes and Anecdotes... an Anatomy of Wit".
See: http://www.jokesquotesandanecdotes.com
Contact: Mick HARKIN
E-mail: mickjharkin(a)gmail.com
About the EFITA mailing list
You can use the efita moderated list (> 15000 subscribers) to announce
any event / product / web site / joke (!) related to IT in agriculture,
environment, food industry and rural areas.
If you want to subscribe a friend, please fill in his
form.
If you do not wish to receive our messages, please fill in the following
form...