Technology For The Win

Like many of us, I have a love-hate relationship with technology.  I love all of the wonderful advancements in the sciences, and the instant access to information of every kind.  The increased pace of work? Not so much.
 
But one thing that’s undeniable is that technology really can bring humans together for the good of the planet. 

Live Graphic Recording of lightning talks during a design sprint.

I got to see this close up last week in Des Moines when Google brought me in to graphic record a design sprint with farmers, academics, and app developers.  This diverse group of experts came together to create a tool to measure nitrogen rates in soil.  Farmers, being stewards of the land and conservationists at heart, want this tool and Google is volunteering to make it for them. 
 
This was an inspirational few days for me as I got to be involved in such a symbiotic collaboration.  The visual notes provided an easy way for everyone to see the high level themes that were emerging out of brainstorming sessions, and to hone in on a few key ideas to explore and test.
 
Very soon this tool will prototyped, then made and used to make our planet’s food and water safer for everyone. 

Now that’s technology for the win.