virtual village

The weather forecaster in “The Mayor of Casterbridge” was called “Fall” – no prizes for guessing what his projections meant for Michael Henchard’s crops. The weather about which we are supposedly nationally obsessed still has a real make or break role in terms of agriculture.

 This article which sets out a new experiment to engage people’s interest in understanding the weather and the predictions underpinning it is fascinating – it explains:  “A new online game launched on August 22 lets players run a virtual ice cream business while taking part in what aims to be the largest and most comprehensive study ever conducted into how weather probabilities are communicated.  The game, simply called Weather Game, challenges players to help ‘Brad,’ an ice cream seller,  run his business by deciding where and when he should sell ice cream based upon the weather.”

 I like this positive use of online engagement. The National Trust have done something similar enabling people to run a farm online. I have this idea about creating a virtual village with options linked to its future sustainability around housing, employment, transport, retail – please don’t steal it – but as a serious request if you would like to join me in thinking through how we might give it some real “legs” do get in touch.