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Everything Is Miscellaneous
277 pages, 2008
The Second Generation Web tells us what's really new about the Internet. When businesses, politics, science, and media move online, the rules of the physical world―in which everything has a place―are upended.
There's no such thing as “too much” information. More information gives people the hooks to find what they need. In the digital world, everything has its place, with transformative effects: Information is now a social asset and should be made public, for anyone to link, organize, and make more valuable.
Messiness is a digital virtue leading to new ideas, efficiency, and social knowledge. Authorities are less important than buddies. Rather than relying on businesses or reviews for product information, customers trust people like themselves.
In 'Everything Is Miscellaneous', David Weinberger explores how the digital world has revolutionized the way we organize information. He suggests that traditional methods of categorization are becoming obsolete, and we should embrace the flexibility and adaptability of digital organization.
Weinberger argues that the digital age has brought an end to hierarchical structures of information. In the book, he explains that information is no longer confined to physical spaces like libraries or filing cabinets, but can be freely categorized and re-categorized in the digital realm.
One of the key points Weinberger makes is the importance of metadata. He explains that metadata, or data about data, is what allows us to find and organize information in the digital world. It's a concept that's worth digging into if you want to understand the future of information.
Weinberger doesn't just look at the theory of digital organization, he also explores its practical implications. He discusses how businesses, governments, and societies can benefit from embracing the miscellaneous and letting go of rigid categorization.
In 'Everything Is Miscellaneous', Weinberger paints a picture of a future where knowledge is not confined by physical or hierarchical limitations. He suggests that in this future, everyone will have the ability to contribute to the collective knowledge of humanity.
Quotes 3
David Weinberger's 'Everything is Miscellaneous' brilliantly illuminates the complexity and richness of the digital information environment.
Clay Shirky - Internet TechnologiesWeinberger's 'Everything is Miscellaneous' is a profound and essential book about how information is organized and understood in the digital age.
Stewart Brand - Environmental ActivismDavid Weinberger's 'Everything is Miscellaneous' is a powerful and compelling exploration of how new technology is transforming our understanding of information.
Lawrence Lessig - Legal Activism