I received some feedback about yesterdays musing on libraries .  It was noted that reasearch libraries are quite different from regular libraries with unique collections of material some of which is not available on the internet.

Horrors.  I was crushed – decimated.  Could it be there were topics and information not available on the internet.   I cannot believe it.

When machines like IBM’s Big Blue which was able to win at Jeopardy, beating the best human contestants of all time,  then I know this cannot be true

Big Blue  wins because it has internet access and so knows everything.  This machine accesses and searches the internet in ways humans never could.

This includes information from Research libraries.  Basically these institutions have automated at least a synopsis of their collections.  And Big Blue can get it.

Remember HAL

The super computer from the movie “2001, A Space Odyssey ” was called HAL.  This was an all knowing artificially intelligent machine and humans were no match for it.

This futuristic tale is not so far fetched and we are fast approaching the day when HAL like computing devices will exist.  The internet will be their library and librarians are not required.

Hold on, don’t Panic

My tongue is firmly planted in my cheek as I craft this post.

The point about Research libraries is surely well taken.  That being said though, things are changing and I do predict a time when the machines dominate, humans become subservient and all information is available on the internet.

And not only that but it will be accurate and we can rely on it.  Googles always right, isn’t it?