Open Source Ecology

Another amazing initiative relating to Open Science popped up on my radar this week.
 Marcin Jakubowski was as hardcore scientist as it gets with a Ph.D. in physics who had the courage of following his heart and redefine his purpose. From scarcity he had to experiment and design his own agricultural tools and machines to succeed in farming. He published his ideas and designs though the internet, attracting supporters for the idea.

Eventually the idea grew into a project, and the project into a purpose they named Open Source Ecology. Here they publish and continue to improve on a fixed set of machines needed to start and improve a sustainable village from scratch. They named this The Global Village Construction Set.

Why is this a really good idea?
Here are my 5 cents:
a) it is a powerful incentive to poor farmers in "third"- and "second"-world countries (and elsewhere) to upgrade and help themselves. Especially considering the combination with micro-loans like Kiva.
b) it gives a cheaper and real alternative to commercial products
c) considering point b) sustainability is a corner stone in the project, and thus incorporated into the design. It does not have to consider profit from gradual improvements, but start at the best and most efficient design.
d) it is a feedback process that allow users to return user knowledge and improve the design.
e) if gives "first"-world farmers a real alternative, who is in a constant race of becoming ever more efficient to scoop a little profit from repaying debt.
f) the idea is community based! Meaning responsibility and ownership of creating tools to sustain the community becomes a public privilege not a private industrial enterprise (but I can be too).
g) the design ideas on the drawing board are by no means just primitive tools (3D scanner, 3D printer, aluminum extractor, CNC circuit mill etc.). The group are serious when they aim at creating a kit that can make people get modern comforts.
h) the idea is to make the machines modular. Simple parts, easy to understand and exchange. This is a huge thing since an item is only good as long as it has spare parts and can be fixed, unlike most modern machines that requires special tools and mechanics - making them useless when placed on a savanna far from infrastructure.


I am proud of people like Jakubowski and his supporters! Especially because he is a scientist! To me they have succeeded in combining heart and mind into what needs to be done. I know "hero" is a strong word, but they are providing what the world really needs, not for fame or money (yes, they ask for volunteering donations). I do not claiming we all should follow this example, but giving it a thought would be healthy.

And you do not need to be a scientist to do a real noticeable difference! The Let's Do It campaign started in Estonia is a perfect example. Cleaning up a country from garbage in one day is certainly possible!  

Links:
Open Source Ecology
Open Source Ecology Wiki
Let's Do It World