Essay and experiment: one meaning shared by these two words is "attempt". Ever since its introduction by the master of this literary genre, Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592), the essay has been a groping, subjective form of composition that renounces the exhaustive analysis of its subject. Experimenters, on the other hand, generally undertake a thorough investigation of the objects on which they focus and this is doubtless the preferred approach for researchers at ETH. But the ETH Jubilee provided an opportunity to turn the spotlight for a change on the "essay" method. In the project "Visions ETH 2030" all members of ETH were invited to put pen to paper and write three to five pages setting out their thoughts on the university of tomorrow, and later. Under the guidance of Jürg Dual, ETH professor and until recently President of the Planning Commission, a jury selected the best contributions. The jury comprised, amongst others, Meinrad Eberle, Brigitta Gadient, Markus Gisler, Werner Oechslin, Alan Green, Gérard Hertig, Kathy Riklin, Brigitte von Känel and Kurt Wüthrich. Last week the four (equally placed) winners were announced at a Jubilee aperitif in the main lecture hall at ETH (see box).

Digital sustainability

Marcus M. Dapp put rousing words into the mouth of the ETH president in his address for the ETH Day 2030. On the occasion of ETH's 175th anniversary the president is looking back to the pioneering role that ETH has played in the global call for a sustainable use of digital knowledge and culture. The president expresses his opposition to an intensification of the concept of intellectual property rights and appeals for the widest possible distribution of know-how and culture to the benefit of all and for future generations.

The author of this contribution concluded his engineering studies at ETH in 2003 with focus on technology management and information systems. Dapp's current area of interest lies in the young area of research that deals with a sustainable use of digital know-how, especially in the phenomenon of open-source software. In his thesis he investigates the influence of patent law on innovation with regard to open-source software.

Obligations to society

ETH biologist Julian Bertschinger is currently working on his PhD thesis at the ETH Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, whereby his focus is on new technologies for the development of therapeutical proteins. In his essay Bertschinger appeals for four things on which ETH Zurich should focus over the next quarter of a century.

First, researchers should be obliged, periodically and critically, to assess their work within the context of social needs and the possible benefit it can confer on society. Second, researchers should be involved more intensively in public relations work in order to raise society's understanding for the necessity of research. Third, ETH had to strive for all-encompassing courses of study for young scientists in order to bridge the gulf between the humanities and the natural sciences. And, finally, ETH should promote flatter hierarchies in research departments to give unconventional ideas and young talent space to develop.

Visions of tomorrow: the winners of the essay competition "Vision ETH 2030". From left: Christoph Meier, Marcus M. Dapp, Julian Bertschinger and Christian Studer. large

In praise of slowness

The third winning essayist is Christoph Meier. He studied anthropology at the University of Zurich and concluded his studies in 1998 with a genetic-ethological study of chimpanzees.

The fact that "ETH Life“–duty bound to strict neutrality otherwise–is especially pleased that the contribution, "The slow breeders," is amongst the winners is because its author, Christoph Meier, has been a valued member of its editorial team since 2001. With a touch of science fiction the author paints a picture of ETH Zurich in 2030 as a place of encounter and reflection, peopled by "slow breeders". He describes how, following a period of frenetic haste, when the publication indices and rankings was the measure of all things, consumption set in. The reversion to the advantages of a slow, tenacious and honest work ethic brings about a sea change and a creative, debate-friendly university.

Against the information avalanche

Illustrated with computer animation, the fourth winner, Christian Studer, describes a latent danger in his text "Lilies": namely, the sheer glut of information on offer today. In our search for the blossoming lily of wisdom we are increasingly obstructed by the wild growth of rampant weeds. Studer obtained his civil engineering diploma at ETH in 2002. For his diploma thesis he was awarded the 3rd Heinrich-Hatt-Bucher Prize. He is currently working on his PhD thesis on the subject of non-smooth dynamics at the Centre for Mechanics.