SKU: 69253304437

Cataloging the World: Paul Otlet and the Birth of the Information Age

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Cataloging the World: Paul Otlet and the Birth of the Information AgeThe dream of capturing and organizing knowledge is as old as history. From the archives of ancient Sumeria and the Library of Alexandria to the Library of Congress and Wikipedia, humanity has wrestled with the problem of harnessing its intellectual output. The timeless quest for wisdom has been as much about information storage and retrieval as creative genius. In Cataloging the World, Alex Wright introduces us to a figure who stands out in the long

The dream of capturing and organizing knowledge is as old as history. From the archives of ancient Sumeria and the Library of Alexandria to the Library of Congress and Wikipedia, humanity has wrestled with the problem of harnessing its intellectual output. The timeless quest for wisdom has been as much about information storage and retrieval as creative genius.

In Cataloging the World, Alex Wright introduces us to a figure who stands out in the long line of thinkers and idealists who devoted themselves to the task. Beginning in the late nineteenth century, Paul Otlet, a librarian by training, worked at expanding the potential of the catalog card, the world's first information chip. From there followed universal libraries and museums, connecting his native Belgium to the world by means of a vast intellectual enterprise that attempted to organize and code everything ever published. Forty years before the first personal computer and fifty years before the first browser, Otlet envisioned a network of "electric telescopes" that would allow people everywhere to search through books, newspapers, photographs, and recordings, all linked together in what he termed, in 1934, a reseau mondial--essentially, a worldwide web.

Otlet's life achievement was the construction of the Mundaneum--a mechanical collective brain that would house and disseminate everything ever committed to paper. Filled with analog machines such as telegraphs and sorters, the Mundaneum--what some have called a "Steampunk version of hypertext"--was the embodiment of Otlet's ambitions. It was also short-lived. By the time the Nazis, who were pilfering libraries across Europe to collect information they thought useful, carted away Otlet's collection in 1940, the dream had ended. Broken, Otlet died in 1944.

Wright's engaging intellectual history gives Otlet his due, restoring him to his proper place in the long continuum of visionaries and pioneers who have struggled to classify knowledge, from H.G. Wells and Melvil Dewey to Vannevar Bush, Ted Nelson, Tim Berners-Lee, and Steve Jobs. Wright shows that in the years since Otlet's death the world has witnessed the emergence of a global network that has proved him right about the possibilities--and the perils--of networked information, and his legacy persists in our digital world today, captured for all time.



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 06/01/2014
ISBN: 9780199931415
Pages: 350
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.20d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2014
Publishers Weekly 04/21/2014
Choice 12/01/2014 pg. 654
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SKU: 69253304437

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Birmingham, US
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I couldn't get this in my size (medium) so I ordered large. it's a little large in the shoulders, but it still looks good. it is a well made, substantial jacket. I love it!
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good stretch
Size: 10 Long, Color: Dark Wash
Honestly, these are one of those surprisingly good basics—especially for the price. The biggest standout is the stretch. They’re really comfortable and move with you, so they don’t have that stiff “jeans” feeling. They hug your body in a flattering way without feeling too tight or restrictive, which makes them easy to wear all day. The mid-rise fit is also a sweet spot—not too low, not too high—so they’re super versatile with different tops. What I liked: Very stretchy and comfortable (almost feels like jeggings, but still looks like denim) Flattering skinny fit through the legs Easy everyday jeans—work, errands, going out Great value for the price What to know: Material is on the thinner side (more comfort than “structured denim”) They can lose shape slightly after a full day of wear Not the most durable long-term compared to higher-end denim Final thoughts: These are perfect if you want cute, comfortable, affordable jeans you can throw on with anything. Not premium denim, but for everyday wear—they definitely get the job done and are worth having in your rotation.
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Size: 6, Color: Black
These were great, daughter wore them for her band concert. They fit nice, were soft, good quality and very black.
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Isabel
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Size down.
Size: 8 Long, Color: Iced Blue Light Wash
They are high stretch so I would size down from your usual size. I have bought size 10 in their brand and noticed the two previous I've purchased before this one were loose. So when I purchased this one I sized down and they fit good to me. I got long so they are LONG. And the regular would probably fit at your ankle or above. The only reason why I didn’t give it 5 stars was bc I don’t feel it mid rise to me it feels like high rise but I don’t feel them uncomfortable and also THEY ARE NOT SKINNY JEANS. They are straight leg and a tad bit loose so if you want stretch and skinny jeans these are not the ones for you. I only bought them thinking they were like the picture but it’s false advertisement.
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Size: 8, Color: White
These are high quality fabric.. Not thin and flimsy buy good fabric. Fit me like a glove. I love them and they are very comfortable.
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