[Taxacom] London - Systematics Association Lecture, 5th October

[Richard Pyle]

I did not equate the phrase "modern information science" with "genomic
data".  There is MUCH more going on in "modern information science" than
genomic "bioinformatics" (a label that some would argue *was* co-opted by
that community) -- specifically the universe of "biodiversity informatics"
-- of which only a (relatively small) part involves molecular data.

Perhaps the quoted abstract does indeed equate "modern information science"
with molecular/genomic data, but if so, then it is grossly underestimating
the scope of activities (many/most of which are not specific to molecular
data) that are legitimately described as "modern information science".  

Aloha,
Rich


> -----Original Message-----
> From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu [mailto:taxacom-
> bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of John Grehan
> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 8:51 AM
> To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> Subject: Re: [Taxacom] London - Systematics Association Lecture, 5th
> October
> 
> "the future of taxonomy and systematics is assured, as long as the subject
> takes the lead in redefining itself as a modern information science"
> 
> It's the nature of "modern information science" that is the problem given
> that molecular systematics seems to have co-opted that label. I think the
> horse has already bolted.
> 
> John Grehan
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of James
> Cotton
> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 2:43 PM
> To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> Subject: [Taxacom] London - Systematics Association Lecture, 5th October
> 
> The Systematics Association
> Sir Julian Huxley lecture
> 
> Taxonomy in the 21st century
> 
> Prof. Charles Godfray, University of Oxford.
> 
> The Linnean Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London Wednesday 5th
> October 2011, 6 pm
> 
> The meeting is open to visitors. Wine will be served after the lecture to
> members and guests. Please advertise this lecture as widely as you can.
> 
> Abstract: Taxonomy is one of the oldest branches of biology and in a time
of
> major loss of biodiversity of critical importance today.  But the subject
> currently faces great threats and as well as great opportunities - many
tasks
> that traditionally required taxonomic expertise can now be performed by
> non-specialists using modern molecular techniques, and the users of
> taxonomy expect information to be made available seamlessly over the web.
> In the lecture I'll explore some of the major challenges facing the
subject,
> drawing on the recent NERC-sponsored report "Developing a National
> Strategy in Taxonomy & Systematics".  I shall argue that
> 
> --
>  The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is operated by Genome Research
> Limited, a charity registered in England with number 1021457 and a
company
> registered in England with number 2742969, whose registered  office is 215
> Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE.
> 
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