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Dear Readers,

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If a global energy group with the size and finan- cial means of BP is not able to quickly stop oil spilling, we will have to ask ourselves whether we invent the right technologies and develop the right products. The inventions of railway, tele- phone and electricity were truly revolutionary for mankind and brought us forward. I am not sure whether the internet is revolutionary, too. Last findings in brain research suggest the opposite, because when using the internet we loose our most important skills for the evolution of our own species. An older taxi driver told me recently that he is not able to orient a print map anymore and follow a certain route. It hadn’t been a problem for him years ago.

In the Western world, boy scouts are often ridiculed by their school mates. Remember Bart and Milhouse (Simpsons) as Bart is shocked to find out he joined the Junior Campers. Howe- ver, today’s boy scouts – often greeted with a weary smile – could become mentally superior to the “virtually grown ups” in the future. The way between the good old boy scout skills and the so-called multitasking skills – that are purely nonsense according to latest scientific findings – would be the best option.

Instead of developing a new Facebook or You- tube company we should develop functioning materials, processes and methods for the real world and its problems. Chernobyl is over 20 years ago: Why isn’t there a real functioning

10-04 :: April 2010

Editor‘s Letter