[humanmarkup] Diplomatic Communications: HM - Data and Reporting

[Joseph Norris <jwnorris@humanmarkup.org>]

Hello Everyone,

 

Here are a few topic areas with a few introductory statements for a paper continuing our Human Markup research on Diplomatic Communications.

Some feedback on how Human Markup can assist is standardized data collection, security, data fidelity and veracity would be appreciated. It is terribly difficult to get this work jumpstarted so even a few ideas passed around would do wonders.

Building on these thought pieces will be of considerable help to any future subcommittee work on DipCon.

Cordially,

Joe Norris

jwnorris@humanmarkup.org

 

Human Markup and Diplomatic Communications

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The need for precise reporting: Rationale

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For any large organization to be functional, an internal communication system must be put in place to assure the correct, timely, and orderly flow of information within the organizational structure. Success or failure can depend simply on information being in the right hands at the right time. Defining the problem of faulty information flow is an easy task - aiding in its solution has proven to be a more considerable challenge.

Historic Attempts: Standardized Forms

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Anecdotally and personally, one can conjure up memories of filling out standardized questionnaires or forms that would be somehow processed; be it dumped in the trash, or perhaps read, or fed into a database. Intelligent solutions for handling and processing data have been implemented throughout all of history with mixed results.

With a plethora of forms that attempt to bring harmony to often discordant and varied information, modern information processing and collection has become routine. Human Markup, while not attempting to replace or supercede existing data warehouses, can all several new layers of encoding, markup, and semantic layers to preexisting, real-time, or concurrently collected data. [TBC]

Historic Attempt: Security

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The "diplomatic pouch" - carrier of many a national secret and critical communiqués has been an important tool in the diplomatic world for centuries. Correspondences, treaties, and communiqués of all varieties were sealed inside these "inviolable" conveyances.

Issues of information security have been widely discussed and addressed within the information technology community. Human Markup does not seek to offer some form of encryption but rather offers an ability to ensure, via XML encoding, that data is attributable to the person or groups that have provided the data. [TBC]

Historic Attempts: Veracity and Fidelity

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How does one judge the reliability of information? Trusting the source is one way. If you know the person who provides the information one would feel more secure in the accuracy and reliability of that information. Another way is to check the facts, cross referencing new information with old, referencing and inductively processing data with expected outcomes and pattern recognition.

In this world of gigantic organizations with information providers coming from all sources we must seek a new way to verify the truthfulness of information. If report from a diplomatic attaché comes in from a distant outpost, how can people at headquarters know that this information is reliable, conformant with similar data, and faithful to the actual intent of the information provider?

Human Markup with the development of "virtual personalities" within identifiable communication networks could allow for any piece of information to be attached to a readily identifiable packet of data which identifies the originator of that information. Collectively, work groups and researchers could append and make addenda to any piece of data and all of this work could be attached to the information as it moves. Hence, a trail of clarifying data can enable the information consumer to see the who, what, why, and where's about anything he or she reads. This metadata trail would ensure fidelity and veracity adding value to mission critical communications that are required within the diplomatic community.

 

Common Problem with a Human Markup Solution

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Whenever two people come together for whatever purpose, Human Markup could provide the means to increase the fidelity within any human to human communication. The communications revolution of the 20th century involved telephones, fiber optics, satellites, and other technical marvels. The 21st century calls for a closer bond between technology and the people who use it. Human Markup can provide new answers to ancient and persistent problems. [TBC Human Markup specific work goes here]

 

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Version 0.1: Very Rough Draft/Thought-piece Stage

Joseph W. Norris

Human Markup OASIS Technical Committee