Byron Reese is a futurist, speaker, and author of Infinite Progress. Recently we talked to him about the Internet’s ability to better the world.

What was your impetus for researching people’s efficacy to change the world?

The world has changed much over the course of civilization, mostly for the better. And yet, much more changing still needs to happen. I was curious how this happened, how positive change happens in the world, to see if I could come up with a set of best practices.

Do you think optimists are more likely to bring about change?

Only people who believe in a better tomorrow are willing to get up early and work hard to make it happen.

What are some examples of how information through the Internet has already substantially changed the world for the better? Can you give examples within education, health, politics etc?

It is said that knowledge is power, and I believe this. Specifically I believe it is the power to make your life better, to improve your situation. The Internet has, for a fortunate two billion people, made the acquisition of knowledge almost effortless. Couple that with the fact it has allowed people to communicate instantly for free. We use the Internet to connect, consult, collaborate, commiserate, and a dozen more things – and those are just the C words. It has become so commonplace that we are almost to the point of taking it all for granted.

Tell me a little but about INegotiate-your soon to be humanitarian website

The site isn’t launched yet, but when it is, it is a place for people to come together to negotiate solutions to real-world problems. The purpose is to get everyone thinking about innovative solutions to the world’s problems.

How do you think the nature of crowdsourcing will change in the next few decades?

The most underutilized resource in the universe is human potential. There is an amazing amount of untapped genius in the crowd, and since the economic incentives are aligned to unlock it, I think we can expect to see much innovation there.

How has the Internet personally helped you already in your mission to change the world for the better?

Like all technologies, it multiples the labor of people. I can many times more with the Internet than without it.

For more thoughts from Reese, we highly recommend his book: Infinite Progress

     To begin, according to the World Health Organization, today there are over 2 billion people (almost a third of world’s population) that are unable to have access to clean sanitation. The vicious cycle caused by the interlinking between contaminated food and water with combination of malnutrition and poor hygiene has been a burden on some of the world’s societies for generations. The absence of asepsis in food products and in drinking water can cause alarming diseases that are bound to attack all parts of the human body. Most disease-causing contaminants that are found in food are viruses, parasites, and most commonly microorganisms or bacteria that can enter the body via many entries. Some of these microorganisms are A.hydrophila, B.cereu, C.jejuni, C.botulinum, C.perfringes, and E.coli. These microbes have the potential to inflict serious negative effects on human health including gastrointestinal inflammation, abdominal cramps, severe vomiting, muscle pain, and in some cases even death. There are shockingly 4 billion diarrhoea cases per year in developing world that are caused by infectious diseases with 2.2 million resulting in death.

     Furthermore, the most dangerous part of bacteria-linked illnesses is that humans are unable to visually spot them. They are virtually invisible to the naked eye. In developed countries, people are privileged enough to have access to technological advances that help regulate and keep dangerous contaminants below the level of concern. However, in parts of the world where antiseptic techniques are not significantly focused on or available, it is extremely easy to catch one of these deadly contaminants. An estimated 1.5 million children under the age of 5 die annually due to the fact that their immune system is incapable of resisting the advancement of these food related contaminants. Regions such as South East Asia, Central Africa, and certain areas in Central and South America are prone to sicknesses related to dirty water supplies and poor living hygiene that all play a role in the food cleanliness. Perhaps the most astonishing fact is that according to World Health Organization death due to infection and parasitic diseases is ranked second in the world, right after cardiovascular diseases. It even tops deaths caused by cancer, HIV/AIDS, and war.

     On the other hand, the somewhat relieving news is that the amount of death caused by lack of food hygiene can be lowered if right measures are taken by the people that are willing to help. Donations, physical involvement such as volunteering, or even spreading awareness about this topic can benefit these people that are at risk. Providing food products and water supplies that show greater emphasis when it comes to cleanliness can significantly improve the health and therefore lives of these unfortunate individuals. Also, assisting in enhancement and generating more superior food inspection programs in nations in need can notably benefit their citizens as well. Lastly, studies have shown that simple measures such as hygiene education programs can prevent the death of a child and cost considerably less than vast majority of expenditures developing countries spend on health programs (less than one percent).

     When one reaches a helping hand and is able to take initiative in spreading awareness when it comes to world’s biggest issues, only then can they really understand the meaning “Do not take what you have for granted”.

Related Articles/Websites:

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/en/

http://www.personal.psu.edu/afr3/blogs/SIOW/2011/12/importance-of-cleanliness-in-other-countries.html

http://www.safewater.org/PDFS/resourcesknowthefacts/Disease_Causing_Micro_Org.pdf

The problem of malnourishment and malnutrition is a complex one, not just caused by
lack of food, but rather a complex economic problem. And the problem is worse than
on the face of it. Malnourishment doesn’t just mean being hungry or tired, but it means
being susceptible to potentially fatal illness.

Given the nature of a global economy, and an increasingly smaller planet, it is in the best
interest of everyone to alleviate this problem, not just in our own backyards but the world
over. Poverty-and in turn malnourishment- creates a vicious cycle of holding down the
economy from people to weak to be educated, or to work, too ill, or simply dying. This
is turn keeps the economy from being righted, where in a free market, food, shelter, and
clean water will not go to these parts of the world.

So what can you do? We are always looking for volunteers looking to help out. Show your support on our Facebook and Twitter page.

Hunger is the desperate need for food, not the simple desire to eat. When the average North American wakes up every morning, he or she is thinking of the many options available which can satisfy that breakfast craving. When four-year-old Sarah* lies sleepless at night, she does not think; she can only feel the jolting pain that stabs at every point of her fragile, shivering body. Her lips are chapped; her belly is bulging out; her ribs stick out like contour lines across her already depleted body. Sarah is not merely hungry. Under the cool moonlit sky Sarah is suffering from starvation.

Starvation is an extreme form of malnutrition. The lack of proteins, vitamins, and minerals needed to support basic functions carried out by the body and organs causes this condition. Sufferers display dramatic loss of fat and muscle mass as the body breaks down these tissues for energy. Prolonged effects cause tissues of vital organs to deteriorate, and permanent damage to these organs ultimately leads to death. The body’s immune system is also affected. It tends to shut down and leave the body unprotected against many deadly diseases. Either way, if left neglected, starvation is a slow, tortured path to death.

Sarah is not alone. There are 854 million people across the world who share Sarah’s pain. Many of them are children and are from developing countries.

A starved child faces poor intellectual development and stunted growth. This can lead to injured cognitive abilities and physical disabilities, not to mention the emotional scars imprinted in the minds of the children. However, many of them do not survive long enough to grow up.

Every 5 seconds, one of Sarah’s brothers or sisters dies. That is, 16,000 children die everyday from hunger-related causes.

Yet there are more than 1 billion people that are overweight globally.

Why are there so many people starving while even more are overweight? Hunger is common in many developing countries under extreme poverty or famine. Poverty is a condition in which a community is deprived of the essentials for a minimum standard of well-being and life. Its worst case results in famine, a social and economic crisis that is commonly accompanied by widespread malnutrition and starvation. However, there is enough food to feed everyone in the world. The problem is caused by food distribution and external trade policies set by the governments of developing countries. The obvious way to solve hunger is to provide an adequate amount of food to those in desperate need. It would cost a lot for one person to provide that level of assistance, but not if it is made possible through the contributions of many.

How much is life worth? Anyone who doesn’t have to worry about survival would not hesitate to say that life is priceless. They are not wrong. Life is the essence of existence. For this reason all measures must be taken to preserve it. In developing countries, where clean water and food can prevent the malnourished from dying, a few dollars may be all that is needed to preserve a life. How much is life worth? Perhaps the price of life is not as important compared to the sum of all the tiny efforts put in to preserve a life. Choices made by one individual can make a difference in the lives of others.

People like Sarah need immediate help. A war cannot be fought alone.

*Name given for illustrative purposes.