The Computer Vet Weblog

Clay Shirky once again exposes the realistic underbelly of hype in his latest article, The Semantic Web, Syllogism, and Worldview. This time he skewers the notion that the Semantic Web will bring about the Golden Age of machine intelligence that its proponents suggest. And why? Because they’re solving the wrong problems.

This example sets the pattern for descriptions of the Semantic Web. First, take some well-known problem. Next, misconstrue it so that the hard part is made to seem trivial and the trivial part hard. Finally, congratulate yourself for solving the trivial part.

One of the best rebuttals comes from Shelley Powers. She says they’re not trying to bring about the Golden Age of machine intelligence, just make it easier for machines to find things when they’re asked.