greetings all --

some folks may be interested in this report (email below).  j

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	IASST-L The Promise and Peril of Big Data
Date: 	Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:43:50 -0500
From: 	Walter Giesbrecht <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: 	iasst-l, IASSIST mail list <[log in to unmask]>
To: 	iasst-l <[log in to unmask]>



The Promise and Peril of Big Data [pdf]

http://www.aspeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/content/docs/pubs/InfoTech09.pdf

Some data-crunchers and others are thrilled by the prospect of the growing 
amount of "big data". According to a recent report, the amount of digital 
content available on the Internet is approaching five hundred billion 
gigabytes. This 66-page report from the Aspen Institute asks some key questions 
about these developments, including "Does Big Data represent an evolution of 
knowledge, or is more actually less when it comes to information on such 
scales?" Released in January 2010, this report is based on insights from the 
recent Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program, which brought 
together 25 leaders from the fields of technology, economics, and public 
policy. The report was written by David Bollier, and it includes sections like 
"Big Data and Health Care", "How Should Big Data Abuses Be Addressed?" and 
"Business and Social Implications of Big Data". It's an important read, and one 
that visitors with an interest in any of these fields will want to pass along 
to their friends.

From The Scout Report,
Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010.
<http://scout.wisc.edu/Reports/ScoutReport/2010/scout-100115-re.php#1>

-- 
Walter Giesbrecht                               [log in to unmask]
Data Librarian                                203E Scott Library
York University, Toronto, CANADA          416.736-2100 ext.77551
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"But we're librarians. Clearly we're evil." - mgfarrelly
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