Too Big to Know | David Weinberger | Talks at Google

TL;DR

The internet has led to the disruption of traditional forms of knowledge, with encyclopedias, libraries, and newspapers being replaced by the hyperlinked nature of the web.

Transcript

Presenter: Okay. Welcome, everyone. It's my pleasure to welcome you here today to our Authors at Google series. Welcome to everyone here in person, and everyone on webcast as well. I'm Bradley Horowitz, head of Product for Google+. It's my pleasure to introduce David Weinberger. David has one of those resumes and CVs that just goes on and on. I'm... Read More

Key Insights

• 💁 The internet has disrupted traditional forms of knowledge dissemination, such as encyclopedias, libraries, and newspapers.
• 🤕 The digital age has led to a shift towards connectivity and diversity of information, as the internet allows for various perspectives and viewpoints to be shared and linked together.
• 🤕 Disagreement and difference are more prominent in the digital age, as the internet exposes a diverse range of opinions and ideas.
• 💁 The internet has made it easier to access and share information, but also presents challenges in filtering through the vast amount of available content.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are encyclopedias and libraries becoming less prominent in the digital age?

The hyperlinked nature of the internet has made it easier to access and share information, rendering the traditional methods of knowledge dissemination less relevant.

Q: How has the internet changed the way we think about knowledge?

The internet has allowed for a more diverse and connected approach to knowledge, with different perspectives and viewpoints being shared and linked together.

Q: How do we filter through the vast amount of information available on the web?

It is important to develop filtering mechanisms and strategies, both individually and institutionally, to determine the value and relevance of the information available online.

Q: Has the internet led to a loss of certainty and agreement in knowledge?

The internet has made it more apparent that agreement and certainty in knowledge are not always achievable, as different viewpoints and perspectives are readily available and accessible.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Knowledge is no longer confined to books and physical mediums, but is now dispersed and connected through the internet.

• The internet has led to a shift in how knowledge is accessed and shared, with a focus on connectivity and diversity of information.

• Disagreement and difference are now more prominent in the digital age, as the web allows for various perspectives and viewpoints to be expressed and linked together.