Hans Rosling writes: So it did happen! Just hours ago World Bank president did completely change the World Bank data policy.
This story shows the power of Ideas worth spreading. The story runs in 5 acts:
1. My TED2006 talk yielded Google’s acquisition of software from Gapminder.
2. Tim Berners-Lee add pressure for free data at TED2009
3. In 2010, Google launches Public data explorer with moving bubbles and a few of the free indicators from World Bank
4. On 20 April 2010, president Bob Zoellick of World Bank give up the old habit of selling public data. The change in policy is comprehensive and includes the right for institutions and companies to redistribute the data. In Zoellick’s YouTube video, at 1:46 min, the moving bubbles from my TED2006 talk in their new Google formate forms the background for the spread of ideas from the stage at TED in 2006 to World Bank in 2010.
Archimedes said: Give me a fulcrum, and I shall move the world!
Rosling says: Give me a TED talk and I shall move the world!
Kind regards from a happy Hans.
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Theodore A. Hoppe commented on Apr 22 2010
This is very exciting news. A recently posted talk by Tim Bernier-Lee shows how open data can can be used in ways that result in change. Rosling’s Gapminder talks do the same. Can we expect another visit by Rosling to TED about what he finds. I think so. Thanks for the update.
ryan tan commented on Apr 22 2010
It’s a good news but.. Is it safe to show their data? it should have more security in these matter.. since they are more hackers in the web and they can easily hack an account if showed to the public..
John Switzer commented on Apr 21 2010
Excellent news Hans. You are indeed changing the world.