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Missed Information: Better Information for Building a Wealthier, More Sustainable Future

Online ISBN:
9780262336253
Print ISBN:
9780262034920
Publisher:
The MIT Press
Book

Missed Information: Better Information for Building a Wealthier, More Sustainable Future

David Sarokin,
David Sarokin
Environmental Protection Agency
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Jay Schulkin
Jay Schulkin
Georgetown University
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Published:
26 August 2016
Online ISBN:
9780262336253
Print ISBN:
9780262034920
Publisher:
The MIT Press

Abstract

Missed Information explores three themes about information and modern society: (1) We are neglecting information. Even in our Information Age, we pay more attention to information technology -- the means of storing, moving, protecting information -- than to information itself. "Information" is still the thing we get about other subjects, but rarely is the subject in its own right. (2) Information, on its own, is a powerful agent of change.The old adage, "Information is power", has never been more true. Neglecting information quality can lead to system collapse, as happened in the Soviet Union and came close to happening in the subprime mortgage crisis. (3) Better information and improved information access increases the efficiency of all society's major systems. The benefits of doing so are substantial: more citizen participation, stronger economic performance, better environmental protection and improved government and consumer services. Ultimately, better information allows society's systems to respond more effectively to our collective concerns about global sustainability, such as child labor, climate change, and chemical pollution. The authors examine these themes in depth, not only from the perspective of broad economic, social and technological principles, but with an eye to practical innovations. The book proposes mechanisms for improving information and decision-making in health care, financial reporting, government systems and consumer purchasing, and explores the benefits to be realized once the changes are made.

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