The Movement
The Movement toward Pasteur’s Quadrant in Social Sciences and Humanitarian Efforts
Pasteur's Quadrant
Consider four researchers whose research is a combination of scientific research and applied innovations. Niels Bohr is someone who focused exclusively on creating scientific breakthroughs for the sake of expanding scientific knowledge with little concern about how such science would be useful to Society. Steve Jobs, on the other hand, was focused predominantly on obliterating the boundaries of technological innovation for social use with little understanding of the underlying science. Louis Pasteur represents a hybrid of both, a researcher who created scientific breakthroughs for the sake of solving critical problems in Society. His research established microbiology, invented pasteurization, and led to the first vaccines for anthrax, cholera, and rabies.
The Fourth Quadrant
Agencies that work toward humanitarian causes contribute indispensably to a better global Society but typically operate in the Fourth Quadrant, with little effort toward technological innovation or breakthroughs in scientific research. Nonprofit entities have only the expectation to not use their resources for the inurement of those involved in its operation, with no pressure from shareholders for increased efficiency, effectiveness, or high performance.
The Movement to Pasteur's Quadrant for Humanitarian Concerns
We believe Society would benefit greatly from a more scientific approach to addressing Societal and Humanitarian concerns with agencies operating with the same performance expectations of the world’s top techie startups.
Obamacare, the market for carbon credits, and a variety of applied science innovations are examples in this direction. We want to establish an industry of firms fully committed to and designed specifically for this purpose.
