Predict and Prevent

While the hot new thing from Google is knol, defined as a unit of knowledge, I believe there is something else pretty darn hot was just announced too which can, hopefully, identify hot spots (you knew that pun was coming) - Predict and Prevent at google.org.

Rapid ecological and social changes are increasing the risk of emerging threats, from infectious diseases to drought and other environmental disasters. This initiative will use information and technology to empower communities to predict and prevent emerging threats before they become local, regional, or global crises.

This is part of Larry Brillant's vision for the future - see my earlier blog post on this.