Web4.0 -- The Semantic Web(sethgodin.typepad.com)
sethgodin.typepad.com
Web4.0 -- The Semantic Web
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2007/01/web4.html
8 comments
humans needed to think, not thing. I should try it more :-P
TBL has been touting the coming of a Semantic Web for quite some time now. I love hearing about example applications but frankly I don't know how much of it I can buy into.
Think back 10 years to the examples we were being given about "Surfing the Net" -- while we have some really cool apps and technology today, things didn't turn out quite as people imagined. Technology always has this habit of building alot of hype around potential, but always failing to truly deliver. Additionally the whole concept of the Semantic Web requires that everyone freely exchange their data -- a lovely idea but a bit too romantic if you ask me.
My first startup began by squatting in W3C's office space, two doors down from TBL. Really, I'd love nothing more than for it to work but the guys developing the specs for the SW are so out of touch that I wonder if they really have the ability to gain mass adoption.
Think back 10 years to the examples we were being given about "Surfing the Net" -- while we have some really cool apps and technology today, things didn't turn out quite as people imagined. Technology always has this habit of building alot of hype around potential, but always failing to truly deliver. Additionally the whole concept of the Semantic Web requires that everyone freely exchange their data -- a lovely idea but a bit too romantic if you ask me.
My first startup began by squatting in W3C's office space, two doors down from TBL. Really, I'd love nothing more than for it to work but the guys developing the specs for the SW are so out of touch that I wonder if they really have the ability to gain mass adoption.
The world Godin presents is definitely scary for me. I value my feeling of privacy, but as he points out it is only an illusion. The need for this illusion of anonymity is strong in our society because people don't want to take responsibility for their actions, or are ashamed.
The kind of openness described by Godin requires a new paradigm and therefore can only be currently adopted by few.
The younger you are, the less Godin's world will bother you.
Some of the example applications he gave kick ass.
Ok, those were some interesting ideas, but please don't version the web.
[deleted]
Another note: it's all just software. That makes it easier to acheive if you integrate systems. It also limits reach. You still need to move your ass from point A to B to C. Most of the time, you'll need to pay attention while doing it -- automated driving isn't part of web 4.0.
Also, there is a ton of legwork involved in services. Many services demand people behind them. It would be nice if humans were only needed to thing -- to have and share desires/preferences/thoughts. Right now, only a minority of people have the luxury to do that full-time.