Open Invitation - Student's Debate - Gadgil-Rangan Paradox

Students of Ecological Informatics, Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management - Kerala (IIITM-K) are organizing a student's debate on what they describe; Gadgil- Rangan Paradox of the Western Ghats.

The event is scheduled at 15.00 Hrs on 12 November 2013.

For further information: visit    http://ecodebate13.blogspot.in/

Hangout Session: Ecological Informatics: IIITM-K

The first Google hangout lecture session conducted by Prof. Franz Josef Behr for the students of Ecological Informatics at IIITM-K is available at:

https://docs.google.com/a/iiitmk.ac.in/file/d/0B6y7fClVoWGEdnZXS0hsUDMyWXM/edit?usp=drive_web

 21 October 2013.

A random thought

It could be probable that there exists a relation between the ‘God particles’ that Physicists are chasing and the Soul or Atma.  The Soul, explained in physical terms, is a vector without direction and 0 mass!

It attains both these when embodied.

The direction of vector has a bearing on the residency time within a body.

Homo sapiens, Anthropo sapiens and Sustainability

Homo sapiens would perhaps qualify themselves as the last Sustainable species on the Planet Earth.

The new sub-species - Anthropo sapiens, definitely are not. 

 
 

CAPTOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY

The phrase Environmental Challenge is a misnomer. Environmental challenges (or issues) that humanity faces today, are not environmental Per-se. They are social.

Unless we are ready to accept the social dimension, our efforts at finding solution(s) to “environmental challenges” are sheer waste of resources and energy. It could precisely be perhaps why we find ourselves at square one, despite years of colossal investments to overcome environmental challenges. What we achieved can be categorized; externally supported case studies.   

The school of Ecological Informatics at the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management – Kerala has been consistently promoting the social dimension since 2007. However today we are sub critical. This need not be the case for ever.

We zeroed in on the issue of irrational human behavior in urban household waste disposal; that is rampant in Trivandrum, India. After four months of observations we have strong reasons to believe that the fundamental reason for the irrational behavior, stems from individual’s thought/ perception.

Our hypothesis - lack of alternative means for house hold waste disposal leads to careless disposal attitude, was proved wrong; when substantial incidences of similar behavior were observed in individuals with access to alternative means.

We are exploring ways in which ICT can become persuasive agents to induce desirable changes in individual human behavior. Strangely we are neither computer nor behavioral scientists, but a motley group who claim to be environmental researchers.

Our interest (with environmental objective of inducing desired behavior) has increased immensely since we recently stumbled upon the term Captology and found an interesting thread at http://captology.stanford.edu/about/what-is-capatology.html

In order to learn more and consolidate our ideas, we look forward to organize a 2-3 days’ workshop (subject to availability of funds) on the tentative theme Captology & Environmental Security in late 2013 or early 2014.

Meanwhile, this page seeks to bring together people who are interested in the theme.

Admission Announcement     

       M.Phil. Ecological Informatics @ Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala

Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management - Kerala (IIITM-K) is currently accepting applications for its M.Phil. program in Ecological Informatics for the academic year 2013-14.

We started this program to plug the prevalent deficiencies in quantitative and informatics skills among postgraduate students of environmental science, botany and allied disciplines so as to enable
them undertake a more meaningful doctoral research. However, over time we have realized that our students are also handpicked by corporates interested in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Impact Assessment - a growing industry sector.

True to our belief that academic enterprises should not be closed compartments, we permit our students to undertake their research either in the national institutions collaborating with us or any
reputed laboratory within or outside India. Whilst opening unlimited options, it also enables a student acquire the degree by spending a minimum time out of their home limits.

Subject to the condition of having 65% marks or 7.0 CGPA in the qualifying examination (M.Sc. degree), ALL students admitted to the program will be awarded the SPEED-IT scholarship of INR 8000 per month to meet the course expenses. 

For further details please visit www.iiitmk.ac.in

Kind Attention Geology/ Environmental Science Students in and around Trivandrum

Have you seen the laterite mount (near Asian Bakery, Pangappara) on the curve along the National Highway between Trivandrum and Kollam? Although am not a Geologist by training, I feel this site is going to provide you with a good case study. Check it out.

I hope you would be introduced to basics of disaster management. 

If my conviction is true, please drop a line on your findings.  

Help Conserve Wild Banana - Ensete superbum

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/wild-banana-species-struggling-for-survival/article4384657.ece

Summer School in Environmental Impact Assessment

IIITM-K announces its Summer School in Environmental Impact Assessment
For details, pl visit www.iiitmk.ac.in/summerschool

Pervasive Opportunities

Knowledge has revolutionized human societies and taken it to the threshold of transition into an era of virtual social cohesion. The coalescing power of open knowledge, without face or icon is a manifestation of this contemporary force.

Individuals as icons and leaders will soon be relegated to the annals of history. Albeit with different objectives, the jasmine revolution in Tunisia and December demonstrations in New Delhi, represents two instances of knowledge enabled virtual social cohesion. These phenomena, taking place at the cross-roads of social, technological and biological evolution are bound to gather more strength and be more frequent.

However, it is too premature to predict the way human societies will react, when faced with issues fundamental to their existence; like sharing a dwindling natural resource flowing across dialectical, geo-political boundaries. Not far from present, social evolution is destined to choose either of the two distinct, mutually exclusive courses. The options of which will depend on whether preference be exerted to benefit own dialect or a show of egalitarian respect for fellow beings, sans frontiers.

The latter, undoubtedly is ideal. Erased boundaries will help create decent living conditions in all human habitations. Knowledge facilitated social coalescing, for a cause across linguistic, administrative or geographic boundaries; is a precursor and primer to steer mankind to the ideal course of action. Let me try to exemplify the above statement:

Tourism, a source of revenue for Governments, provides a neutral case to experiment with.

Despite being a means of livelihood for local populace, many tourist destinations world over are losing their charm. Persistent epidemics stemming from piling waste mounds, crumbling infrastructure and sinking social attitudes are only a few probable causal reasons listed.  Potential tourists, coalescing in a virtual platform, can exert required decibel to demand clean and safe tourism. Doesn’t it sound like ex-situ social engineering?