A very interesting read about possibilities of open access and volunteer science. ( )

Every book changes you and this one is no exception. Nielsen argues clearly and logically for a more connected and open way of sharing data and doing science. I'm convinced it's the way to go. ( )

Reinventing discovery: the new era of networked science is a critical examination of the potentials of digital technologies, especially of collaborations that happen via the web. In his thesis, Nielsen does not aim to introduce new set of technologies, instead he charts how existing platforms can be optimally utilised. He maintains that online collaboration, if used properly, has the potential to serve as an architecture of attention (identification of expertise so as not to re-invent the wheel), amplifies collective intelligence (not AI), and fosters innovation. He thus argues, the use of social media for serious scientific projects is not a "frivolous" waste of time. He argues that online collaboration could give scientists the leisure of reading conversations and ideas of others at their convenience hence augmenting face to face collaboration. He cites exemplary projects including mathematician Tim Gower's blog, Wikipedia, Intellopedia (the use of Wiki by US intelligence service), Galaxy Zoo (citizen science project for discovering new planets and stars), and many others, which he believes can pinpoint to what is bigger coming in the future as these technologies become more mature, stable and perfected.

Open science including open access to scholarly communication and open data web, the author, identifies are big steps towards the road to building scientific information commons. Guarding data to scientists heart is no more good for science, he maintains. The era of networked science, the author indicates, has the power to revolutionise science and digital collaboration is key to this revolution.
Nielsen himself a physicist has for long advocated for open access. I should add that networked science is best achieved through effective use of metadata.

The subject here is not the science of networks but the effect of networks on the conduct of science. Open sourcing, open access, open data, citizen science, data-driven intelligence, wikis, etc. Nielsen says he "wrote this book with the goal of lighting an almighty fire under the scientific community." (p 206)