In our latest editorial we look at the work of the RCUK Digital Economy HAT project – ‘Hub of All Things’.
Described as a model of ‘life-as-we-don’t-yet-know-it’ we introduce readers to the aftermath of Prof Irene Ng’s book ‘Value & Worth: creating new markets in the digital economy’.
The researchers assert that the Internet is changing from serving an era of transactions to a new age – an era of of data-driven decisions.
Read our full editorial with links to the project’s recently released briefing paper.
Groupe Intellex 
I confidently predict that an increase in data-driven decisions will lead to more Beethovens being aborted and Hitlers being elected (see http://www.snopes.com/glurge/twoquestions.asp). The Mad Hatters should make room in their universe for Tin Hats.
I share your concerns, Ian, hence a liberal scattering of question marks throughout the piece and the comment on qualitative information.
None of this is going to happen in the short term but readers should be aware of developments and long-term choices so that mature responses can evolve and a ‘common sense’ can prevail.
There are so many ways in which emergent plans and capabilities can be tested. I’m for ‘collaborative’ more than faux-competition and would argue more for ‘community and culture’ than for independent pursuit of personal gain – but there so many dimensions and so much more debate is needed.
When someone recently enquired after my health, I replied ‘opinions vary’. Determining ‘truths’, as well we know, takes great investigative effort and good deal of time. So thanks for your comment. The debate needs a bigger space than my very small corner but maybe others will take it on. David