Why we believe in Improvement
We’re unlikely alone here, but as each busy day passes, it feels like there has never been so many complex issues and risks for humankind to manage. Maybe, in our case, it is because we are getting older and spend more time reading and researching than we used to. Maybe it is because technology has made us so well-connected that information exchange now takes micro-seconds (want to know the latest? – see ‘Twitterbook’ on your mobile app…). Maybe the world actually is approaching a tipping point and something unimaginably drastic and bad is about to happen. Something even worse than a pandemic. There is no doubt that globalisation has improved the lives of millions, but along with this it has brought problems that now require global agreement to solve. Problem solving and agreement on this scale, and at this level of urgency, is unprecedented. Right now we are spoilt for choice as what to tackle first. Collectively solving: climate, corruption, prejudice, critical supply shortages, the jabbed and unjabbed divide, inflation and debt – would make a good start. Pessimists might advise to give up all hope – after all, some of the biggest issues aren’t likely going to be a problem for current inhabitants of earth. Optimists, however, will think about solutions and get after opportunities to make things better.
All should not be doom and gloom. Whilst progress to make things better will be impossible without a global education program to trigger required behavioural changes, some of these big problems can be addressed through advances in technology. Machine learning and (increasingly) its subset - deep learning - will have vital roles to play.
As passionate Marine Consultants, Stonefort Marine are excited to be able to add what we know to some very forward thinking initiatives to help bring improvement to our sector. We are, in particular, seeing considerable growth in tech-based solutions aimed to address some of the toughest challenges faced by shipping; that will have potential application in other industries. We are encouraged by the fact that some funding for innovation is flowing from multiple OECD governments, as well as from established businesses. We have hope for the future because most of the short-listed ideas tested on us originate from a courageous ‘slightly younger’ generation; who bring fresh eyes and different perspectives. There are definite synergies in combining ‘youth’ with ‘experience’ – just ask the coaches of some of the most successful sports teams. We believe there is a duty to do our best to make things better, to improve everything we can, so all future inhabitants may be inspired to follow suit when their time comes to fix issues they will inevitably face. This is why we believe in Improvement.