In _Nature_ 478.7369 (on p.321), Chris Lintott concludes his
review of Michael Nielsen's _Reinventing discovery : the new
era of networked science_ (Princeton University Press, 2011)
with the comments that the author "convinces us that radical
change is a real possibility", and that this book "will frame
serious discussion and inspire wild, disruptive ideas for the
next decade."
Nielsen foresees a new scenario for creative scientific work,
and for determining scientific success and recognition -- one
in which, for example, the traditional system of scientific
( journal ) publishing does not, to put it mildly, play a decisive
role. Scientific communication, and the course of scientific
progress, are going to become a whole 'nuther ballgame, so
to speak.
I was just wondering whether anyone on this list who has read
Nielsen's book might have any comments on what he or she
believes such a scenario may entail for how library and
information services will ( have to ) adapt, and for the way in
which they will ( have to ) function differently from the current
situation. [ If, indeed, there will even still be a place for such
services, if the scientific enterprise becomes so fluid, and only
active scientists will be aware of what is actually going on. ]
Can we look forward to "wild, disruptive ideas" for adapting
research librarianship and information services for a radically
new environment ? Is that a kind of imminent "next generation"
down the road ?
Or is Nielsen ( himself a physicist / computer scientist ) just a
daydreamer, and Lintott ( an astrophysicist ) too naïvely
credulous ?
- Laval Hunsucker
Breukelen, Nederland
Received on Mon Mar 12 2012 - 17:14:27 EDT