Thing 7-Anything Technology

Semantic Web

Check out Wikipedia's description of the Semantic Web. In short, it would be the implementation of a new format/language of information over the Web that allows computers to sort through all of the data to make relevant connections or share/compare data. In concept, like Communism, it could be a real boon to anyone that needs to gather, share, sort, limit categorize. In reality, it is riddled with potential problems, not the least of which is greater ability by organizations of power to control the dissemination of information and the loss of often blessed anonymity that comes with Web sharing.

All of these concern me as a library staffer. First thoughts: yikes, more ways to replace us info staffers and on the other hand, boy could that make my job easier. I really do see the potential pitfalls and benefits of this development. To have access go beyond access and into synthesis of info would be amazing but perhaps a bit too idealistic as well as a little scary.

P.S. For any linguistic buffs out there, the implied argument that language (I'd argue English in particular) is too variable and idiomatic to make this work is a fascinating one (as anyone who has had to do multiple keyword searches to get the desired results can relate to).