The problem with collaboration in the electronic era...

E-communication has revolutionized every aspect of our lives. From how we shop, find love, watch movies and do science, the ability to interact with others globally has virtually eliminated barriers to the flow of ideas. I have fruitful collaborations with researchers in many different countries, which are greatly enhanced by e-mail and Skype. However, a new problem has emerged -scheduling people for meetings in multiple timezones!

Green = optional working time for researchers in different timezones; yellow = suboptimal; red = perhaps we allow people to sleep.

I routinely have Skype meetings with my editorial team in the UK at 5 or 6 am, but as the above graphic shows -scheduling a meeting amongst people in the UK, North America and Australia is virtually impossible.