I always found this quote to be insanely interesting. Talking about the internet in the 1930’s, makes you wonder what technology they have today.

“It is science, and not men of science that we want to enlighten, and animate in our politics, and rule the world. I want to suggest that something, a new social organization, a new institution, which for a time I shall call World Encyclopedia. This World Encyclopedia would be the mental background of every intelligent man in the world. Such an Encyclopedia would play the role of an undogmatic bible to the world culture. It would do just what our scattered and disorientated intellectual organizations of today fall short of doing. It would hold the world together mentally. It would compel men to come to terms with one another. It is a superior university and thinking of a world brain no less. Ultimately, if our dream is realized it must exert a very great influence upon everyone who controls administration, makes wars, directs mass behavior, feeds, moves, starves, and kills populations. You see how such an encyclopedic organization could spread like a nervous network, a system of mental control about the globe, knitting all the intellectual workers of the world through a common interest, and more conscious co-operating unity, and a growing sense of their own dignity, informing without pressure of propaganda, directing without tyranny.”

- H. G. Wells Presentation “On the concept of a World Encyclopedia” to the Royal Institute of International Affairs, 1936

Video —

I love how he pretends this will augment us when in fact it will replace us.

If THE GRID doesn’t cause you to shit your pants. You’re really not listening

to what it is gonna do…

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1803302824?bctid=1812111640

Some who are concerned as I…

http://www.openzine.com/aspx/Zine.aspx?IssueID=977

Could the Internet become self aware?They’re working toward that goal, but don’t be concerned, its just another version of Internet…(yeah right)…

http://www.twine.com/item/127st2q2f-12m/could-the-net-become-self-aware-29-april-2009-new-scientist?cmpId=twit

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Lengthy Article:

The Semantic Web

A new form of Web content that is meaningful to computers will unleash a revolution of new possibilities

By Tim Berners-Lee, James Hendler and Ora Lassila

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-semantic-web