Open Source, Open Standards, Blue Sky
on September 23, 2009
Some see open source as far more than a business trend, perhaps a fundamental restructuring of our economic model. Are we witnessing a shift that's as deep as the transition from feudalism to modern capitalism?
Quite likely. These changes takes decades, and the open source movement is over 20 years old already. The movement is quirky, and its adherents aren't usually the most articulate at explaining its strengths.
This presentation given by Claudio Luís Vera (@modulist) at HealthCamp MD explains much of the reasoning behind open source. Underneath the ideology, there are very compelling economic arguments behind the open source movement, both for the individual developers and for the corporations that find them.
Open source can be the much-sought after “disruptor” that could dramatically change the economics of healthcare. For it to succeed, a few conditions need to the be present:
- data and source code need to be free of cost
- information needs to be available to all, and without discrimination
- common standards need to be free of cost and available to all
Many of the world's greatest innovations have been been produced by 19- and 20-year-olds. With all the barriers the industry has placed on the free exchange of information and data, how could a 19-year-old ever contribute to today’s healthcare?
That is the true litmus test of innovation.
Click on the image above to view the original slideshow.