One of the postulates of the Shannon-Weaver model of communication is that communication requires agreement. If the parties involved in an exchange of information do not form an agreement on the meaning of the terms used during an exchange, the resulting communication will sloppy and typically, unsuccessful. Weaver’s assertion can be applied without argument to a conversational exchange, but it also applies to technology development.
The technology we use today, from phone to computer, instant message to satellite communications system — must “speak the same language.” When they do not, our messages will not go through, devices will not communicate or interoperate, and communication will break down. “Standardization” is the strategy of leveraging broad consensus to design technologies that speak the same language and enable global communication and interoperability. In observation and celebration of the collaborative power of technological standards, World Standards Day was launched in 1970 to recognize the achievements of the standards community.
The U.S. celebration of World Standards Day 2015 will take place on the first of October at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C. The event recognizes the many important contributions of those in the standards community, including innovators in industry, academia, and government. The event will also feature the presentation of the 2015 Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership award, which is named after the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce and honors an individual who has effectively promoted standardization as a key tool in the elimination of global trade barriers.
It’s never easy for us to pass up an opportunity to brag on our friends, and it is worth noting that many of those innovators working in the standards community can be found among OpenStand’s very own affirming partners and supporters. Organizations like W3C, IEEE, and the Internet Society will be on hand for the U.S. celebration of World Standards Day, showcasing some of the recent work that they have been doing in standards development.
We hope you’ll check out the World Standards Day site and keynotes. If you’d like to become an OpenStand advocate, simply:
- Display a site badge on your website
- Tell your friends about OpenStand and the OpenStand principles!