Data and Werewolves

A recent article in Wired Magazine described a new parlour game spreading through the tech community. Werewolf, a game similar to Mafia or Wink Murder, pits the informed minority against the uninformed majority as the larger group of villagers attempts to find and eliminate those in the group that are werewolves.

This particular game at a technology conference that the article described was unique in that the moderator did away with one crucial element – there were no werewolves. The game, which lasted until the wee hours of the morning, consisted of villagers becoming so paranoid of each other that they slowly picked one another off until only three were left and the deception was revealed.

Without information, individuals and businesses are more likely to turn on each other, until there’s no one left. When the days drag on and the economy looks gloomy, I think there’s a tendency for people to get paranoid. But it’s the cooperation in the produce industry that makes it great.

That’s why the industry meetings, like next month’s United FreshTech and Marketplace in Las Vegas, are so important. Sharing information on everything from food safety to legislation not only benefits the industry as a whole by improving the products sold, but it helps individual companies make better decisions.

Last year’s show, the first time at the Sands Expo Center, had a few skeptics going in. The economy was tanking and processors and buyers were backing off orders, but throughout the show I only heard positive comments and renewed enthusiasm. The 2010 show offers even more educational sessions at a great venue, and there’s even a new sustainability conference following.

Trade shows like the United Fresh show offer fresh-cut processors the chance to change the game: Instead of the uninformed villagers minority and the informed werewolves minority, we can have an informed majority that works together to grow the entire market instead of fighting and racing to the bottom.

I hope you plan on attending the United Fresh show this year. If you’re unable, you can follow the Fresh Cut blog at www.freshcut.com, become a fan on Facebook (search for Fresh Cut) or get up-to-the-minute updates from the educations sessions and trade show floor by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FreshCutMag.