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Too Big to Know

253 pages, 2014

technology

technology

392 books
science & nature

science & nature

1064 books
philosophy

philosophy

711 books
Takeaways
Description

In the Internet age, knowledge is not found in books or relied on by experts. Because of the interconnectedness of all things, we can now know more than ever before—if only we know how to go about finding it.

In Too Big to Know: Rethinking Knowledge Now That the Facts Aren't the Facts, Experts Are Everywhere, and the Smartest Person in the Room Is the Room Itself, author David Weinberger not only provides a compelling vision of our future as knowledge seekers but also shows how business, science, and education are learning to use networked knowledge to understand more than ever and make smarter decisions than they could when they had to rely on mere books and experts. 

This groundbreaking book shakes the foundations of our concept of knowledge, from the role of facts to the value of books and the authority of experts, providing a compelling vision of the future of knowledge in a connected world.

The Internet as a Knowledge Source

In 'Too Big to Know', David Weinberger explores how the internet has become our primary source of knowledge. He suggests that we no longer rely on experts and books alone for information, but instead turn to the vast digital world. This shift has changed the way we understand and interact with knowledge.

The End of Information Overload

Weinberger argues that the internet has not led to information overload, as some might think. Instead, he believes it has made us smarter. We now have the ability to filter, sort, and make sense of vast amounts of information. So, don't worry about drowning in data, but see it as an opportunity to learn more.

The Changing Nature of Facts

In the book, Weinberger discusses how the nature of facts has changed. In the past, facts were seen as stable and unchanging. But now, with the internet, facts can be updated, debated, and even changed in real time. This means that we need to be more critical and flexible in our thinking.

The Power of Networks

David Weinberger emphasizes the power of networks in shaping our knowledge. He suggests that the internet has created a new form of networked knowledge, where ideas are linked and interconnected. This means that knowledge is no longer confined to individual minds or books, but is shared and developed collectively.

The Importance of Openness

In 'Too Big to Know', Weinberger stresses the importance of openness in the digital age. He argues that the internet thrives on openness and transparency, and that these values should be embraced. So, don't be afraid to share your ideas and learn from others. It's all part of the new way we create and consume knowledge.

Quotes 3

Too Big to Know is a stunning and profound book on how our concept of knowledge is changing in the age of the Net. It honors the traditional social practices of knowing, where people make sense of the world together, while showing how these practices can now be powerfully extended via the Net. It shows the Net's radicalism is that it includes voices that have been excluded from traditional mechanisms of knowing. This is a work of pragmatic philosophy at the highest level.

Clay ShirkyClay Shirky - Internet Technologies Expert

Too Big to Know offers a profound new take on the future of knowledge, understanding, and expertise. Weinberger shows how the massive amounts of data generated by our digital lives are transforming how we understand and learn about the world.

John Seely BrownJohn Seely Brown - Innovation Management Scholar

Too Big to Know is a book that anyone who deals with information in any form should read. It's a clear-eyed look at the realities of the information age, an age where information is not just more plentiful, but qualitatively different.

Esther DysonEsther Dyson - Technology Investor
Clay ShirkyJohn Seely BrownEsther Dyson

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