July 19, 2007
While on vacation last week, I snagged a copy of the July 2007 issue of Vanity Fair, which delves into Africa today. The issue contains articles on Desmond Tutu's continuing fight for equality (this one written by former U.S. president Bill Clinton), funding AIDS drugs for impoverished patients, China's "desperate oil grab," people rising above their struggles, and so on. I picked it up for a much less noble reason (I was on vacation after all): U2 front man (and global humanitarian) Bono graced the cover and served as guest editor. In any case, I found something I certainly wasn't expecting: an article about DB2.
Okay, it was actually about The Genographic Project--that fascinating partnership between IBM and the National Geographic Society to study the migratory paths our ancestors followed out of the single location in Africa we all shared more than 50,000 years ago. DB2 isn't even mentioned in the article, but you might know, thanks to the article that ran last year, that it's the data server powering the collection and analysis of DNA from thousands of volunteers around the globe.
Bono, Vanity Fair Editor Graydon Carter, and most of the Vanity Fair staff contributed their DNA to the project, and the magazine's masthead lists their haplogroups (sets of people who share the same genetic markers). If you want to find out whether your ancestors and Bono's go way back (or simply participate in the project) you can contribute your own DNA by ordering a simple kit. You'll find out your haplogroup and receive a customized report on how your ancestors arrived wherever they were 10,000 years ago.
Spencer Wells, the project's lead scientist, wrote the Vanity Fair article, and it's a great read. I hadn't realized that the human population had dwindled to just 2,000 (practically extinction level) before resurging to create art, advance the technology of the day (tool making), and start seeking new locations on other continents. I recommend the article as an inspiring example of what else (besides solving business problems) technology can do. Technology minded readers might also enjoy this piece about IBM's Peter Rodriguez, head of IBM's Innovate Quick team, which works with National Geographic on the research.
I'm curious whether any DB2 Magazine readers sent in a kit. Leave a comment to let me know if you have, and if you're as fascinated by this project as I am.
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.ibmdatabasemag.com/blog/main/archives/2007/07/four_names_youd.html
« More sample questions from the DB2 9 Fundamentals Certification Study Guide | Main | Relational databases: A wonder of modern computing ? »
This is a public forum. CMP Media and its affiliates are not responsible for and do not control what is posted herein. CMP Media makes no warranties or guarantees concerning any advice dispensed by its staff members or readers.
Community standards in this comment area do not permit hate language, excessive profanity, or other patently offensive language. Please be aware that all information posted to this comment area becomes the property of CMP Media LLC and may be edited and republished in print or electronic format as outlined in CMP Media's Terms of Service.
Important Note: This comment area is NOT intended for commercial messages or solicitations of business.