Google Aims to Archive All Human Knowledge

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new research details emerging this week suggest that Google is after the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

According to an intriguing report in New Scientist, Google is building a next-generation information database called Knowledge Vault that’s designed to index and store what we can reasonably term facts. And not just some facts — the Vault is intended to continually catalog and store all facts about our world and our history.

But, but aren't "Facts" somewhat subjective? And isn't history decided by the victors.

t’s certainly an ambitious plan, and likely beyond the capability of even the largest crowdsourcing initiative. But that’s all right, because Knowledge Vault is fully automated and uses algorithms to turn raw data gathered online into bite-sized, usable chunks of knowledge.

What’s more, because of the nature of the knowledge base, the information would be readable by both machines and humans. You could query Knowledge Vault directly, as with a Google search. Or you could rely on your future smartphone — or digital assistant or robotic helper — to do the searching for you.

Google the new GOD cyber spirituality in it's infancy. Gibson and the cyberpunks called it right again.

www.williamgibsonbooks.com...

There is an issue with storing subjective facts but its hard to avoid. I am curious if it would gather facts from different viewpoints and actually tell a close truth but unlikely.

Ambitious endeavor. They still have to compare their facts with Wikipedia, and if Google's facts are found to be in fact not facts enough times, they will lose credibility. So this attempt to put all human knowledge in one place really has to be done right. Hopefully Google has this planned for and solved well and truthfully. An exciting project for sure.

Is Google going to gargle all this gumbo and gander a guess at the god given truth? That's a lot of Gs

A " database " full of facts about a species that has been around for thousands of years and is still killing each other, full of hate and division while escalating the murder of fellow humans a little each day.

What else is there to know...what else is worth knowing about the human race ?

originally posted by: Battleline
A " database " full of facts about a species that has been around for thousands of years and is still killing each other, full of hate and division while escalating the murder of fellow humans a little each day.

What else is there to know...what else is worth knowing about the human race ?

I know the cynical approach to the species is an attractive meme but....

We have created beauty in all sorts of media; and in that beauty...there is hope.

a reply to: olaru12

But, but aren't "Facts" somewhat subjective?

Depends on your definition of "fact." True facts are simply "1." Non-facts would be 0. As long as they can filter this out I'd say this is a good idea. Kind of like the STC (standard template construct) from the scifi world of Warhammer 40K. All the info you need to reconstruct systems, items, etc no matter what happens to humanity.

a reply to: Battleline

MAybe the fact the majority doesnt kill

a reply to: Aural

The majority doesn't control either.

What good is it to be the majority when you stand by and allow evil things to happen.

a reply to: olaru12

YOU may not like or believe the cynical approach, but it is one full of fact that the computers will no doubt look at...don't ya think ?

a reply to: olaru12

I've been thinking of exactly the same thing for years — and more frequently since Wikipedia took off.

Google the new GOD cyber spirituality in it's infancy. Gibson and the cyberpunks called it right again.

Maybe it comes from being a Gibson (and even better, Neal Stephenson) reading cyberpunk in the 90's

that is amazing story

a reply to: olaru12

Having all of human knowledge is wonderful and completely useless if there is no wisdom to effectively USE that knowledge.

My 2 drachmas.

I'd say Google achieved this a long time ago. When you have a question who do you ask first? Google, because Google knows all.

originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: olaru12

Having all of human knowledge is wonderful and completely useless if there is no wisdom to effectively USE that knowledge.

I have a feeling Google wishes to use this fact database to train some sort of AI. That's why they need reliable facts, so the reasoning of the AI is not based on faulty information.

originally posted by: ChaoticOrder

originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: olaru12

Having all of human knowledge is wonderful and completely useless if there is no wisdom to effectively USE that knowledge.

I have a feeling Google wishes to use this fact database to train some sort of AI. That's why they need reliable facts, so the reasoning of the AI is not based on faulty information.

Honest question, how can you teach an AI wisdom?

originally posted by: beezzer
Honest question, how can you teach an AI wisdom?

I guess it depends on the AI. The definition of wisdom according to Google is: "the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement". An AI which has access to all human knowledge would technically have the ultimate form of wisdom.

a reply to: ChaoticOrder

I'm old school (and old) I just figured wisdom came from experience.

Knowledge will tell you sticking your finger in a light socket will cause a shock.

Wisdom will tell you that it sucks and not to do it.

originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: ChaoticOrder

I'm old school (and old) I just figured wisdom came from experience.

Well it seems to me that knowledge is generated by experience. You only need to conduct experiments and experience the result yourself when you don't know what the result will be. Wisdom then would simply be using ones acquired knowledge to make intelligent decisions. But what really makes a decision intelligent? Some times we are forced to make a choice which might go against our own self interests, but would benefit the greater good. The intelligent choice would be to put yourself ahead of the masses, the moral choice would be to do what is best for the greater good. So in some sense I think wisdom really comes down to morality. You could be the smartest person on Earth, but if you lack morality than your decisions will not be wise.

a reply to: ChaoticOrder

Then it comes down to defining morality.

And since I'm one of the folks that ride the short bus to ATS every morning, that is waaaay above my pay grade.

But a good answer, none the less!