h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Right, if anyone's still reading this, we need your help.

I'm sure all of you have heard about the horrific things ISIS has been doing to humanity's cultural heritage in the name of religion - most prominently, the destruction of the museum in Mosul.

They sent a video message around the world. We want to send them a message back, to show all extremist groups that we will not allow them to use our history as leverage.

To that end, we (the other research fellows in my project and I) have decided to volunteer our time and expertise to virtually re-build the museum's collections and share them with everyone. Through the wonders of photogrammetry, we can make extremely accurate models (to sub-mm accuracy, with good data) just from existing photographs. But we need all the photos we can get, and we need people willing to help us process them.

So if you've been to Mosul, or know someone who's been to Mosul, or know people who can put us in touch with the right people, please let us know at http://projectmosul.itn-dch.net

This project is, of course, entirely non-profit and any data generated will be freely available to the public.

I know I haven't been around much lately, and working on this will mean I'll have even less time for hootoo, but I hope you'll help me spread the word anyway.

Thanks, we'll pass the word if we run across anyone with expertise.

with the project.

This sounds so incredible Mala - I wish you much success with this project.

Fantastic idea Best of with it! There's only so much I can do, but I will spread the word!

{...if you've been to Mosul...}

I'm sure we had a Hoseasons caravan there in the 90s.


Seriously, this is such a great response, Mala - I wish you every success with it.

Thanks, everyone. We'll have a press release ready to go soon.

At the moment, we're trying to really annoy ISIS by making a preliminary model using stills taken from the video they shared of them destroying things. Turning their own weapons against them, and all that.

Of course we're still reading your journals. I don't think I know anyone who's been there, but have several Turkish and Syrian colleagues who might, or might have relatives there. Wish you all the best of luck with this.

So glad someone is planning counter action are you gathering data via social media or quieter methods?

I'm not here often but look out for you

We'll take any data we can get, however people want to get it to us!

It's really taking off now, I'm happy to report. The story has been picked up by Der Spiegel and El Pais, it's on CNet, and we've just been interviewed by La Monde and The Guardian...

March seems like such a long time ago, now, doesn't it?