The Case for Curation as a Service: Organizing the World's Information for Efficient Knowledge Attainment

The Case for Curation as a Service: Organizing the World's Information for Efficient Knowledge Attainment

Curators are like life preservers for the web. In a vast sea of content, they are there to save us from drowning. These individuals are domain experts or individuals with an obsession for a specific topic, who tirelessly sift through the garbage to find the gems. They dedicate countless hours to searching the web for the best resources on a given topic and then format their findings in a readable manner. Good curation is not about quantity but rather about quality. It is about providing users with the most valuable and relevant information.

This concept of organizing information is not a new one. In fact, it dates back to around 300 BC when the Ptolemies undertook one of the most ambitious projects in history - the establishment of the Library of Alexandria. Their goal was to collect all of human knowledge and bring it together in one place. By organizing and making this information accessible, people could "stand on the shoulders of giants," as Newton famously put it. They could learn from the thinking and research of others in their field, leading to innovation, new discoveries, curiosity, exploration, and much more.

The importance of organizing and curating information became even more evident with the advent of the internet. With an overwhelming amount of content available, finding reliable and relevant information became a challenge. This is where curators play a crucial role. They not only help us navigate through the vast sea of information but also ensure that we are exposed to the highest quality resources.

Take Google, for example. Its original name, Project Backrub, highlights the importance of backlinks in determining the quality of a web page. By using this approach, Google was able to provide high-quality search results. However, even with such advanced algorithms, Google only shows us a tiny segment of the webpages in its database. We have no control over what is included in this segment; it is solely based on Google's algorithm's perception of what we want.

This is where the concept of curation as a service becomes relevant. Wouldn't it be useful if, while reading one piece of content, we could also access related pieces of information? Public roam graphs, for example, could be a potential solution to this. It is an interesting project that aims to create a global knowledge graph, allowing users to seamlessly navigate through interconnected information.

Incorporating curation as a service would not only ensure that we have access to a wider range of information but also enable us to discover new perspectives and insights that we may have otherwise missed. It would empower individuals to curate their own knowledge base, allowing them to become curators themselves and share their findings with others.

So, how can we make the most of curation as a service? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace the role of a curator: Don't just consume information, become an active participant in the curation process. Find a topic you are passionate about and dedicate time to sift through the web for valuable resources. Share your findings with others, and in turn, learn from the curation efforts of others.

2. Explore alternative curation platforms: While Google is undoubtedly a powerful search engine, it is not the only option. Explore alternative platforms and tools that prioritize curation and provide access to a wider range of information. Experiment with public roam graphs or other emerging projects that focus on organizing and connecting knowledge.

3. Support and engage with curators: Show appreciation for the work of curators by supporting their efforts. Engage with curated content, provide feedback, and share valuable resources with them. By actively participating in the curation ecosystem, we can contribute to the creation of a more organized and accessible web of knowledge.

In conclusion, curation as a service is a powerful concept that can revolutionize the way we access and navigate information. By embracing the role of a curator, exploring alternative curation platforms, and actively engaging with curators, we can harness the true potential of organized information. Let us not drown in the sea of content but instead rely on the life preservers of curation to guide us towards the most valuable resources and insights.