Memex is Searching the Dark Web

Those who follow the history of knowledge and the Web will remember the Memex system.   Now the term points to an effort by DARPA that looks at the Dark Web.  From ITWorld:

" ... A “Dark Web” search engine developed by U.S. defense researchers is in the spotlight this week for its use in combating human-trafficking activities, but it could play a role in business, too. 

“There’s huge potential,” said Jeff Schneider, a research professor within the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science. Earlier this year, Carnegie Mellon was awarded a $3.6 million contract to collaborate on the project at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is known as Memex.

The Memex program—a three-year research initiative to develop software for domain-specific indexing of open, public Web content and domain-specific search capabilities—was highlighted on Sunday by a segment on 60 Minutes and an article in Scientific American. ... "    

Web Intelligence Driving Business Decisions

From a favorite direction, Recorded Future.  An interview with Bob Gourley:

"What is it about web intelligence that is such an important opportunity to you?

Web intelligence brings new opportunities regarding all-source analysis. Now organizations can leverage more data from more sources. And they can do that in ways conducive to making rapid, more accurate assessments. Organizations can also leverage their own internal data stores and information sources.

The result: better assessments that can drive better decisions. ... " 

Probing the Hive Mind

To what degree does the Wikipedia act as a single brain? In Sciencenews: What implied rules underlie its operation as a useful resource?  I can see this as the future of all knowledge compendiums.  The Santa Fe Institute links to supporting paper and full article.

Web Based Brain for Robots

In the BBC:   A  little tongue in cheek, but I agree with the long range premise.  That the Web has become a sort of brain with memory and store of expertise.  And that our machines will need to be taught to use it. I disagree that general intelligence may be close at hand, but the path is being scoped out today.  And part of that scope will be provided by the Web.