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What is Knowledge in the Age of Big Data? | Timandra Harkness | TEDxSquareMile


what is knowledge in the age of big data

what is knowledge in the age of big data it sounds like rather big ponderous

it sounds like rather big ponderous

it sounds like rather big ponderous question just now so I’m going to start

question just now so I’m going to start

question just now so I’m going to start with something a bit more tangible what

with something a bit more tangible what

with something a bit more tangible what do you know do you know what this is I’m

do you know do you know what this is I’m

do you know do you know what this is I’m going to give you a clue it’s the same

going to give you a clue it’s the same

going to give you a clue it’s the same thing photographed from both sides any

thing photographed from both sides any

thing photographed from both sides any thought

thought

thought it’s the shin bone of a young wolf so

it’s the shin bone of a young wolf so

it’s the shin bone of a young wolf so don’t feel bad if you didn’t recognize

don’t feel bad if you didn’t recognize

don’t feel bad if you didn’t recognize that and if you were thinking it’s a

that and if you were thinking it’s a

that and if you were thinking it’s a tally stick you are also right because

tally stick you are also right because

tally stick you are also right because about 30,000 years ago in a cave in what

about 30,000 years ago in a cave in what

about 30,000 years ago in a cave in what is now in the Czech Republic in the Ice

is now in the Czech Republic in the Ice

is now in the Czech Republic in the Ice Age somebody scratched 57 notches into

Age somebody scratched 57 notches into

Age somebody scratched 57 notches into this wolf bone 57 notches in groups of

this wolf bone 57 notches in groups of

this wolf bone 57 notches in groups of five making it therefore the oldest

five making it therefore the oldest

five making it therefore the oldest surviving example of digital data data

surviving example of digital data data

surviving example of digital data data you could count on your fingers now

you could count on your fingers now

you could count on your fingers now today of course we think of digital data

today of course we think of digital data

today of course we think of digital data as being something you could put into a

as being something you could put into a

as being something you could put into a computer in a form that a computer can

computer in a form that a computer can

computer in a form that a computer can store and process and give back so it

store and process and give back so it

store and process and give back so it would be in binary so 57 in binary is 1

would be in binary so 57 in binary is 1

would be in binary so 57 in binary is 1 1 1 0 0 1 satisfyingly that’s just under

1 1 0 0 1 satisfyingly that’s just under

1 1 0 0 1 satisfyingly that’s just under a byte making a byte roughly equivalent

a byte making a byte roughly equivalent

a byte making a byte roughly equivalent to a wolf’s bone thank you that’s a pond

to a wolf’s bone thank you that’s a pond

to a wolf’s bone thank you that’s a pond that only I enjoy it also means that the

that only I enjoy it also means that the

that only I enjoy it also means that the one terabyte hard drive on which I back

one terabyte hard drive on which I back

one terabyte hard drive on which I back up my entire life is equivalent to a

up my entire life is equivalent to a

up my entire life is equivalent to a million million wolf bones so when

million million wolf bones so when

million million wolf bones so when people say big data that’s what they’re

people say big data that’s what they’re

people say big data that’s what they’re talking about a million million wolf

talking about a million million wolf

talking about a million million wolf bones so much for data what about facts

bones so much for data what about facts

bones so much for data what about facts which of these facts do you know which

which of these facts do you know which

which of these facts do you know which these questions could you answer where

these questions could you answer where

these questions could you answer where is Toronto very good excellent I’m glad

is Toronto very good excellent I’m glad

is Toronto very good excellent I’m glad you are joining in how old is Harvard

you are joining in how old is Harvard

you are joining in how old is Harvard University for older than the US very

University for older than the US very

University for older than the US very good you’re going to get top marks in

good you’re going to get top marks in

good you’re going to get top marks in this quiz

this quiz

this quiz it is indeed older than the country in

it is indeed older than the country in

it is indeed older than the country in which it now sits what is the French

which it now sits what is the French

which it now sits what is the French word for werewolf excellent

word for werewolf excellent

word for werewolf excellent do you know why you know that ah cuz

do you know why you know that ah cuz

do you know why you know that ah cuz he’s French okay well that’s a head

he’s French okay well that’s a head

he’s French okay well that’s a head start I it’s a fact that I know and

start I it’s a fact that I know and

start I it’s a fact that I know and never knew I knew until somebody asked

never knew I knew until somebody asked

never knew I knew until somebody asked me in a bar so good these are facts

me in a bar so good these are facts

me in a bar so good these are facts there and if you didn’t know them what

there and if you didn’t know them what

there and if you didn’t know them what you you do now and and also you could

you you do now and and also you could

you you do now and and also you could easily find them out without this

easily find them out without this

easily find them out without this question though how many cats are there

question though how many cats are there

question though how many cats are there in the world now this question last

in the world now this question last

in the world now this question last Tuesday just gone I was hosting an event

Tuesday just gone I was hosting an event

Tuesday just gone I was hosting an event called maths inspiration which is talks

called maths inspiration which is talks

called maths inspiration which is talks about maths for school students and one

about maths for school students and one

about maths for school students and one of the speakers Rob east away was

of the speakers Rob east away was

of the speakers Rob east away was talking about estimation and he used the

talking about estimation and he used the

talking about estimation and he used the example of Fermi questions where you

example of Fermi questions where you

example of Fermi questions where you don’t know the answer and you can’t

don’t know the answer and you can’t

don’t know the answer and you can’t really find that exact answer but you

really find that exact answer but you

really find that exact answer but you can make a good estimate from what you

can make a good estimate from what you

can make a good estimate from what you do know and he invited the audience to

do know and he invited the audience to

do know and he invited the audience to contribute questions that you could use

contribute questions that you could use

contribute questions that you could use as a fermi question so this appeared in

as a fermi question so this appeared in

as a fermi question so this appeared in the question box in green ink how many

the question box in green ink how many

the question box in green ink how many cats are there in the world and Rob

cats are there in the world and Rob

cats are there in the world and Rob started from something he did no he

started from something he did no he

started from something he did no he thought well I know how many people

thought well I know how many people

thought well I know how many people there are in the world was about seven

there are in the world was about seven

there are in the world was about seven billion people so if I estimate the

billion people so if I estimate the

billion people so if I estimate the average number of cats corresponding to

average number of cats corresponding to

average number of cats corresponding to each person the the mean number would be

each person the the mean number would be

each person the the mean number would be one he decided because some people don’t

one he decided because some people don’t

one he decided because some people don’t have a cat some people have several cats

have a cat some people have several cats

have a cat some people have several cats so he estimated there are seven billion

so he estimated there are seven billion

so he estimated there are seven billion cats in the world but before he’s even

cats in the world but before he’s even

cats in the world but before he’s even finished a hand went up on the second

finished a hand went up on the second

finished a hand went up on the second row so I said to the two school student

row so I said to the two school student

row so I said to the two school student yes what’s your question and he said I

yes what’s your question and he said I

yes what’s your question and he said I don’t have a question I have the answer

don’t have a question I have the answer

don’t have a question I have the answer six hundred million I’ve just googled it

six hundred million I’ve just googled it

six hundred million I’ve just googled it on my phone so they do say that in the

on my phone so they do say that in the

on my phone so they do say that in the Internet age all human knowledge is just

Internet age all human knowledge is just

Internet age all human knowledge is just three clicks away but where does that

three clicks away but where does that

three clicks away but where does that figure come from not that figure 600

figure come from not that figure 600

figure come from not that figure 600 million comes off the internet and I

million comes off the internet and I

million comes off the internet and I haven’t been able to find any reason why

haven’t been able to find any reason why

haven’t been able to find any reason why it’s more convincing than the seven

it’s more convincing than the seven

it’s more convincing than the seven billion estimate that Rob came up with

billion estimate that Rob came up with

billion estimate that Rob came up with the figure of three clicks away I can

the figure of three clicks away I can

the figure of three clicks away I can tell you where that comes from

tell you where that comes from

tell you where that comes from that comes from a 2012 Stanford research

that comes from a 2012 Stanford research

that comes from a 2012 Stanford research paper by West and less kvetch in which

paper by West and less kvetch in which

paper by West and less kvetch in which they got some human beings to play a

they got some human beings to play a

they got some human beings to play a game called Wikipedia to see how quickly

game called Wikipedia to see how quickly

game called Wikipedia to see how quickly they could get from one piece of

they could get from one piece of

they could get from one piece of information to another on Wikipedia and

information to another on Wikipedia and

information to another on Wikipedia and while the human beings

while the human beings

while the human beings doing this West and less kovitch

doing this West and less kovitch

doing this West and less kovitch calculated mathematically the shortest

calculated mathematically the shortest

calculated mathematically the shortest possible route the minimum number of

possible route the minimum number of

possible route the minimum number of clicks that you would need to do the

clicks that you would need to do the

clicks that you would need to do the same road now I realize not everybody

same road now I realize not everybody

same road now I realize not everybody spends as much time looking at graphs

spends as much time looking at graphs

spends as much time looking at graphs with as much love as I do so let me talk

with as much love as I do so let me talk

with as much love as I do so let me talk you through this a little the number of

you through this a little the number of

you through this a little the number of clicks along the lot the x-axis here is

clicks along the lot the x-axis here is

clicks along the lot the x-axis here is a logarithmic scale which means that the

a logarithmic scale which means that the

a logarithmic scale which means that the numbers get closer together as you come

numbers get closer together as you come

numbers get closer together as you come this way so it starts off with one in

this way so it starts off with one in

this way so it starts off with one in the middle is 10 over this side is a

the middle is 10 over this side is a

the middle is 10 over this side is a hundred so you can see that the the

hundred so you can see that the the

hundred so you can see that the the colored lines which are the human roots

colored lines which are the human roots

colored lines which are the human roots the roots the human beings found are

the roots the human beings found are

the roots the human beings found are sometimes as long as 70 or 80 clicks

sometimes as long as 70 or 80 clicks

sometimes as long as 70 or 80 clicks whereas the shortest possible route that

whereas the shortest possible route that

whereas the shortest possible route that mathematically optimum route that a

mathematically optimum route that a

mathematically optimum route that a perfect machine would get are never more

perfect machine would get are never more

perfect machine would get are never more than ten clicks and you can also see I

than ten clicks and you can also see I

than ten clicks and you can also see I think the the left-hand scale is the

think the the left-hand scale is the

think the the left-hand scale is the percentage so roughly how many how many

percentage so roughly how many how many

percentage so roughly how many how many how many roots were that long that the

how many roots were that long that the

how many roots were that long that the frequency so the most popular length of

frequency so the most popular length of

frequency so the most popular length of route is three and this is a bit clearer

route is three and this is a bit clearer

route is three and this is a bit clearer actually if I show you that the table of

actually if I show you that the table of

actually if I show you that the table of results you can see the shortest

results you can see the shortest

results you can see the shortest possible paths the mode the median that

possible paths the mode the median that

possible paths the mode the median that are both three and the mean is 2.9 I’m

are both three and the mean is 2.9 I’m

are both three and the mean is 2.9 I’m obviously using a working assumption

obviously using a working assumption

obviously using a working assumption here that you know what mode median and

here that you know what mode median and

here that you know what mode median and mean that mean they need average so you

mean that mean they need average so you

mean that mean they need average so you could say that this that all human

could say that this that all human

could say that this that all human knowledge in the Internet age is only

knowledge in the Internet age is only

knowledge in the Internet age is only three clicks away on average if you’re a

three clicks away on average if you’re a

three clicks away on average if you’re a machine if you’re a human being it’s

machine if you’re a human being it’s

machine if you’re a human being it’s four clicks away but nevertheless it’s

four clicks away but nevertheless it’s

four clicks away but nevertheless it’s out there so does this mean that if you

out there so does this mean that if you

out there so does this mean that if you have an internet connection you know all

have an internet connection you know all

have an internet connection you know all human knowledge of course not because

human knowledge of course not because

human knowledge of course not because you only have a finite amount of time in

you only have a finite amount of time in

you only have a finite amount of time in your life to click links on the internet

your life to click links on the internet

your life to click links on the internet and if you remember nothing else from my

and if you remember nothing else from my

and if you remember nothing else from my talk today please take away that one

talk today please take away that one

talk today please take away that one fact you only have a finite amount of

fact you only have a finite amount of

fact you only have a finite amount of time in your life to click links on the

time in your life to click links on the

time in your life to click links on the internet if however you are a machine

internet if however you are a machine

internet if however you are a machine that can click links at superhuman speed

that can click links at superhuman speed

that can click links at superhuman speed then you can amass a lot of knowledge if

then you can amass a lot of knowledge if

then you can amass a lot of knowledge if you are for example IBM what

you are for example IBM what

you are for example IBM what an algorithm developed to understand

an algorithm developed to understand

an algorithm developed to understand human language which was let loose onto

human language which was let loose onto

human language which was let loose onto the internet to acquire masses and

the internet to acquire masses and

the internet to acquire masses and masses of facts and information and then

masses of facts and information and then

masses of facts and information and then entered for the u.s. game show Jeopardy

entered for the u.s. game show Jeopardy

entered for the u.s. game show Jeopardy where it beats the to human champions at

where it beats the to human champions at

where it beats the to human champions at a quiz show there it is in the middle

a quiz show there it is in the middle

a quiz show there it is in the middle although it did get some things wrong

although it did get some things wrong

although it did get some things wrong it did answer a category of questions US

it did answer a category of questions US

it did answer a category of questions US cities onion it in the category US

cities onion it in the category US

cities onion it in the category US cities it answered one of the questions

cities it answered one of the questions

cities it answered one of the questions with Toronto which to us seems like a

with Toronto which to us seems like a

with Toronto which to us seems like a really basic mistake but to IBM Watson

really basic mistake but to IBM Watson

really basic mistake but to IBM Watson it can collect all this information but

it can collect all this information but

it can collect all this information but it doesn’t have the context that we have

it doesn’t have the context that we have

it doesn’t have the context that we have it doesn’t have the real-world

it doesn’t have the real-world

it doesn’t have the real-world experience that we have sometimes data

experience that we have sometimes data

experience that we have sometimes data and facts and not enough so going back

and facts and not enough so going back

and facts and not enough so going back to our wolf bone for example we can

to our wolf bone for example we can

to our wolf bone for example we can count the notches we know there are 57

count the notches we know there are 57

count the notches we know there are 57 notches but we don’t know what the

notches but we don’t know what the

notches but we don’t know what the notches were counting we don’t know who

notches were counting we don’t know who

notches were counting we don’t know who scratched them or what for we don’t know

scratched them or what for we don’t know

scratched them or what for we don’t know what they mean I like watching the TV

what they mean I like watching the TV

what they mean I like watching the TV programs where they dig up human

programs where they dig up human

programs where they dig up human skeletons and then they examine them

skeletons and then they examine them

skeletons and then they examine them forensically and tell us something about

forensically and tell us something about

forensically and tell us something about what they can tell about the person who

what they can tell about the person who

what they can tell about the person who lived so they can say oh we know that

lived so they can say oh we know that

lived so they can say oh we know that this woman lived with chronic toothache

this woman lived with chronic toothache

this woman lived with chronic toothache for 50 years or we know that this man

for 50 years or we know that this man

for 50 years or we know that this man was attacked with a sword but he

was attacked with a sword but he

was attacked with a sword but he survived and he lived on with a scarred

survived and he lived on with a scarred

survived and he lived on with a scarred hand and face for the rest of his life I

hand and face for the rest of his life I

hand and face for the rest of his life I like it partly because it reminds me how

like it partly because it reminds me how

like it partly because it reminds me how much medical care has come on in the

much medical care has come on in the

much medical care has come on in the last few hundred years but it doesn’t

last few hundred years but it doesn’t

last few hundred years but it doesn’t really tell us what’s important about

really tell us what’s important about

really tell us what’s important about those people it doesn’t tell us that

those people it doesn’t tell us that

those people it doesn’t tell us that this woman with a toothache was actually

this woman with a toothache was actually

this woman with a toothache was actually Queen Elizabeth the first of England it

Queen Elizabeth the first of England it

Queen Elizabeth the first of England it doesn’t tell us that this man who

doesn’t tell us that this man who

doesn’t tell us that this man who survived the sword attack was President

survived the sword attack was President

survived the sword attack was President Andrew Jackson of the United States of

Andrew Jackson of the United States of

Andrew Jackson of the United States of America you could dig my skeleton up in

America you could dig my skeleton up in

America you could dig my skeleton up in 500 years and you could work out that I

500 years and you could work out that I

500 years and you could work out that I had a wisdom tooth removed by a surgeon

had a wisdom tooth removed by a surgeon

had a wisdom tooth removed by a surgeon who was particularly skilled by the low

who was particularly skilled by the low

who was particularly skilled by the low standards of the 21st century but it

standards of the 21st century but it

standards of the 21st century but it wouldn’t really tell you anything

wouldn’t really tell you anything

wouldn’t really tell you anything important about me or what I think or

important about me or what I think or

important about me or what I think or what it’s like to be me it wouldn’t tell

what it’s like to be me it wouldn’t tell

what it’s like to be me it wouldn’t tell you anything about my life you could

you anything about my life you could

you anything about my life you could capture my data now

capture my data now

capture my data now you could fit me with a heart rate

you could fit me with a heart rate

you could fit me with a heart rate monitor and put that together with other

monitor and put that together with other

monitor and put that together with other data about me like my location or what I

data about me like my location or what I

data about me like my location or what I just used my credit card for or even

just used my credit card for or even

just used my credit card for or even what other people were in the same

what other people were in the same

what other people were in the same location as me at that time and you

location as me at that time and you

location as me at that time and you could find some associations even if you

could find some associations even if you

could find some associations even if you were a machine you could find

were a machine you could find

were a machine you could find associations between my heart beating a

associations between my heart beating a

associations between my heart beating a little faster and where I was and who

little faster and where I was and who

little faster and where I was and who with and what I was doing but it

with and what I was doing but it

with and what I was doing but it wouldn’t actually tell you what I was

wouldn’t actually tell you what I was

wouldn’t actually tell you what I was thinking and feeling at that point an

thinking and feeling at that point an

thinking and feeling at that point an algorithm couldn’t tell that because it

algorithm couldn’t tell that because it

algorithm couldn’t tell that because it doesn’t have any subjective experience

doesn’t have any subjective experience

doesn’t have any subjective experience an algorithm could look at a scan of my

an algorithm could look at a scan of my

an algorithm could look at a scan of my brain and this is a scan of my brain not

brain and this is a scan of my brain not

brain and this is a scan of my brain not actual size

actual size

actual size now now Gregor would look at that it

now now Gregor would look at that it

now now Gregor would look at that it could categorize it as a female brain it

could categorize it as a female brain it

could categorize it as a female brain it could possibly go through and find some

could possibly go through and find some

could possibly go through and find some disorder in my brain that I’m unaware of

disorder in my brain that I’m unaware of

disorder in my brain that I’m unaware of and that even a trained neurologist

and that even a trained neurologist

and that even a trained neurologist hadn’t spotted yet which could be handy

hadn’t spotted yet which could be handy

hadn’t spotted yet which could be handy but the algorithm would have no idea

but the algorithm would have no idea

but the algorithm would have no idea what that meant for me what impact it

what that meant for me what impact it

what that meant for me what impact it would have on me what choices it would

would have on me what choices it would

would have on me what choices it would face me with in my life for that I would

face me with in my life for that I would

face me with in my life for that I would need a human neurologist who might be

need a human neurologist who might be

need a human neurologist who might be assisted by a very clever algorithm but

assisted by a very clever algorithm but

assisted by a very clever algorithm but who could talk to me human to human and

who could talk to me human to human and

who could talk to me human to human and say well these are the implications I

say well these are the implications I

say well these are the implications I understand how you’re feeling I can

understand how you’re feeling I can

understand how you’re feeling I can empathize with you what do you want to

empathize with you what do you want to

empathize with you what do you want to do when we say we know a person it’s not

do when we say we know a person it’s not

do when we say we know a person it’s not the same as knowing a fact because we

the same as knowing a fact because we

the same as knowing a fact because we are thinking not only about the outside

are thinking not only about the outside

are thinking not only about the outside things we observe the data we’ve

things we observe the data we’ve

things we observe the data we’ve collected on that person what we

collected on that person what we

collected on that person what we observed about their behavior we’re also

observed about their behavior we’re also

observed about their behavior we’re also using our subjective experience to

using our subjective experience to

using our subjective experience to empathize to project ourselves and

empathize to project ourselves and

empathize to project ourselves and imagine what it’s like to be them in

imagine what it’s like to be them in

imagine what it’s like to be them in French it’s not even the same word

French it’s not even the same word

French it’s not even the same word savoir to know a fact Canet to know a

savoir to know a fact Canet to know a

savoir to know a fact Canet to know a person and to be familiar with a person

person and to be familiar with a person

person and to be familiar with a person is perhaps a better translation in those

is perhaps a better translation in those

is perhaps a better translation in those words connects were familiar there are

words connects were familiar there are

words connects were familiar there are associations of kinship of

associations of kinship of

associations of kinship of fellow-feeling so if we say a machine

fellow-feeling so if we say a machine

fellow-feeling so if we say a machine knows a person that

knows a person that

knows a person that that makes no sense a machine has no

that makes no sense a machine has no

that makes no sense a machine has no subjective experience I may once have

subjective experience I may once have

subjective experience I may once have been guilty of writing big data knows

been guilty of writing big data knows

been guilty of writing big data knows you better than you know yourself that

you better than you know yourself that

you better than you know yourself that was hyperbole I had a book to sell it’s

was hyperbole I had a book to sell it’s

was hyperbole I had a book to sell it’s not actually true

not actually true

not actually true big data cannot know a person so meaning

big data cannot know a person so meaning

big data cannot know a person so meaning who knows what this means l mg TF why no

who knows what this means l mg TF why no

who knows what this means l mg TF why no I get this sometimes if I’m having a

I get this sometimes if I’m having a

I get this sometimes if I’m having a discussion on the Internet

discussion on the Internet

discussion on the Internet and I asked somebody what what do you

and I asked somebody what what do you

and I asked somebody what what do you mean by the age of reason and this they

mean by the age of reason and this they

mean by the age of reason and this they respond with this l mg TF why let me

respond with this l mg TF why let me

respond with this l mg TF why let me google that for you its sarcastic is not

google that for you its sarcastic is not

google that for you its sarcastic is not the rudest thing they could say they

the rudest thing they could say they

the rudest thing they could say they could say Jo G I and if you don’t know

could say Jo G I and if you don’t know

could say Jo G I and if you don’t know what that means

what that means

what that means just flippin google it now this annoys

just flippin google it now this annoys

just flippin google it now this annoys me because I don’t want to know what a

me because I don’t want to know what a

me because I don’t want to know what a machine thinks this means I don’t want

machine thinks this means I don’t want

machine thinks this means I don’t want to know what Google thinks this means I

to know what Google thinks this means I

to know what Google thinks this means I want to know what they mean by it in

want to know what they mean by it in

want to know what they mean by it in this context if you ask a machine what a

this context if you ask a machine what a

this context if you ask a machine what a word means a machine or the Internet is

word means a machine or the Internet is

word means a machine or the Internet is probably using something called word

probably using something called word

probably using something called word embedding where they model words in 200

embedding where they model words in 200

embedding where they model words in 200 dimensional vector space hold on to your

dimensional vector space hold on to your

dimensional vector space hold on to your seats do the demonstration so when it’s

seats do the demonstration so when it’s

seats do the demonstration so when it’s only three dimensions so it’s the same

only three dimensions so it’s the same

only three dimensions so it’s the same as the room we’re sitting in with that

as the room we’re sitting in with that

as the room we’re sitting in with that we’ve got an x axis y axis and the z

we’ve got an x axis y axis and the z

we’ve got an x axis y axis and the z axis this way so you won’t get vertigo

axis this way so you won’t get vertigo

axis this way so you won’t get vertigo but the way the way a machine would use

but the way the way a machine would use

but the way the way a machine would use Wert word embedding to give you the

Wert word embedding to give you the

Wert word embedding to give you the meaning of a word is it would put a word

meaning of a word is it would put a word

meaning of a word is it would put a word into this mathematical space close to

into this mathematical space close to

into this mathematical space close to words that are close to it in meaning so

words that are close to it in meaning so

words that are close to it in meaning so the word data would be up here close to

the word data would be up here close to

the word data would be up here close to words like knowledge and information the

words like knowledge and information the

words like knowledge and information the word Toronto be down here near other

word Toronto be down here near other

word Toronto be down here near other Canadian cities Watson and the word

Canadian cities Watson and the word

Canadian cities Watson and the word werewolf might be up there close to the

werewolf might be up there close to the

werewolf might be up there close to the word for werewolf in other languages for

word for werewolf in other languages for

word for werewolf in other languages for example they could all be close together

example they could all be close together

example they could all be close together but if you ask a human what data means

but if you ask a human what data means

but if you ask a human what data means they might give all sorts of different

they might give all sorts of different

they might give all sorts of different answers they might say well it’s not

answers they might say well it’s not

answers they might say well it’s not just scratched on a wolf’s bone or it’s

just scratched on a wolf’s bone or it’s

just scratched on a wolf’s bone or it’s it’s bites or bit

it’s bites or bit

it’s bites or bit inside a computer or it’s the Latin word

inside a computer or it’s the Latin word

inside a computer or it’s the Latin word for something that’s given and it’s a

for something that’s given and it’s a

for something that’s given and it’s a plural word of datum those are the

plural word of datum those are the

plural word of datum those are the particularly pedantic people that I do

particularly pedantic people that I do

particularly pedantic people that I do work with sometimes I but it also people

work with sometimes I but it also people

work with sometimes I but it also people we use the word in different ways you

we use the word in different ways you

we use the word in different ways you might use the word data to close down a

might use the word data to close down a

might use the word data to close down a conversation and people often do these

conversation and people often do these

conversation and people often do these days they say well this is this is the

days they say well this is this is the

days they say well this is this is the data or these are the data if they’re

data or these are the data if they’re

data or these are the data if they’re that kind of person this is this is the

that kind of person this is this is the

that kind of person this is this is the evidence that’s it there’s no more

evidence that’s it there’s no more

evidence that’s it there’s no more discussion here I have finished the

discussion here I have finished the

discussion here I have finished the conversation by giving you something

conversation by giving you something

conversation by giving you something incontrovertible I prefer to use data to

incontrovertible I prefer to use data to

incontrovertible I prefer to use data to open up a conversation to say well this

open up a conversation to say well this

open up a conversation to say well this is a given but this means it’s the

is a given but this means it’s the

is a given but this means it’s the beginning of a process of reasoning

beginning of a process of reasoning

beginning of a process of reasoning given that given that there are seven

given that given that there are seven

given that given that there are seven billion people in the world how many

billion people in the world how many

billion people in the world how many cats are there let’s embark on a process

cats are there let’s embark on a process

cats are there let’s embark on a process of reasoning reason itself has different

of reasoning reason itself has different

of reasoning reason itself has different meanings in different contexts there is

meanings in different contexts there is

meanings in different contexts there is the age of reason which is a historical

the age of reason which is a historical

the age of reason which is a historical period but why that’s important I’m sure

period but why that’s important I’m sure

period but why that’s important I’m sure historians are going to argue until the

historians are going to argue until the

historians are going to argue until the end of whatever age were in now there’s

end of whatever age were in now there’s

end of whatever age were in now there’s without good reason which to a lawyer

without good reason which to a lawyer

without good reason which to a lawyer means I might be able to get you

means I might be able to get you

means I might be able to get you compensation for losing your job and to

compensation for losing your job and to

compensation for losing your job and to a philosopher means do we really have

a philosopher means do we really have

a philosopher means do we really have free will or if you’re a Blaise Pascal

free will or if you’re a Blaise Pascal

free will or if you’re a Blaise Pascal the heart has its reasons which reason

the heart has its reasons which reason

the heart has its reasons which reason knows not although as the the French

knows not although as the the French

knows not although as the the French person in the audience will know what

person in the audience will know what

person in the audience will know what was he wrote it in French and the words

was he wrote it in French and the words

was he wrote it in French and the words he chose were liquor I see those old

he chose were liquor I see those old

he chose were liquor I see those old color plays on the conic one he used the

color plays on the conic one he used the

color plays on the conic one he used the word for knowing a person for being

word for knowing a person for being

word for knowing a person for being familiar with being acquainted with so

familiar with being acquainted with so

familiar with being acquainted with so reason is not acquainted with the

reason is not acquainted with the

reason is not acquainted with the reasons of the heart which has a rather

reasons of the heart which has a rather

reasons of the heart which has a rather different meaning and I asked myself why

different meaning and I asked myself why

different meaning and I asked myself why did Pascal choose those particular words

did Pascal choose those particular words

did Pascal choose those particular words what did he mean what did he intend what

what did he mean what did he intend what

what did he mean what did he intend what did he want me as the reader to get from

did he want me as the reader to get from

did he want me as the reader to get from that particular choice of words meaning

that particular choice of words meaning

that particular choice of words meaning is not something that is embodied in a

is not something that is embodied in a

is not something that is embodied in a word like the color red in these

word like the color red in these

word like the color red in these balloons meaning is something that goes

balloons meaning is something that goes

balloons meaning is something that goes from the speaker or the right

from the speaker or the right

from the speaker or the right to the listener or the reader so he has

to the listener or the reader so he has

to the listener or the reader so he has an intention about what I should get but

an intention about what I should get but

an intention about what I should get but in order to choose the words for that

in order to choose the words for that

in order to choose the words for that intention he has to project himself

intention he has to project himself

intention he has to project himself imaginatively into my mind his uses

imaginatively into my mind his uses

imaginatively into my mind his uses empathy to think I’m a subjective human

empathy to think I’m a subjective human

empathy to think I’m a subjective human being how is a subjective human being

being how is a subjective human being

being how is a subjective human being reading this going to respond are they

reading this going to respond are they

reading this going to respond are they going to get from it because the writer

going to get from it because the writer

going to get from it because the writer knows that the meaning is created by the

knows that the meaning is created by the

knows that the meaning is created by the person reading the meaning doesn’t exist

person reading the meaning doesn’t exist

person reading the meaning doesn’t exist objectively in the words the meaning is

objectively in the words the meaning is

objectively in the words the meaning is created in the process of reading and

created in the process of reading and

created in the process of reading and thinking and understanding and that’s

thinking and understanding and that’s

thinking and understanding and that’s why a machine cannot mean anything

why a machine cannot mean anything

why a machine cannot mean anything because it has no subjective mind in

because it has no subjective mind in

because it has no subjective mind in 1636 when Harvard was founded you would

1636 when Harvard was founded you would

1636 when Harvard was founded you would have had to go to Harvard to get the

have had to go to Harvard to get the

have had to go to Harvard to get the benefit of all the knowledge that they

benefit of all the knowledge that they

benefit of all the knowledge that they have there you’d have have to go and sit

have there you’d have have to go and sit

have there you’d have have to go and sit in their library to read their books

in their library to read their books

in their library to read their books you’d have to sit in their lecture

you’d have to sit in their lecture

you’d have to sit in their lecture theatre to listen to their lecture and

theatre to listen to their lecture and

theatre to listen to their lecture and speaking today you don’t have to you

speaking today you don’t have to you

speaking today you don’t have to you don’t even have to get dressed if you

don’t even have to get dressed if you

don’t even have to get dressed if you have an internet connection you can

have an internet connection you can

have an internet connection you can download research papers from Harvard

download research papers from Harvard

download research papers from Harvard you can sign up to a free online course

you can sign up to a free online course

you can sign up to a free online course you can listen to their lecturers you

you can listen to their lecturers you

you can listen to their lecturers you can even do quizzes to find out how much

can even do quizzes to find out how much

can even do quizzes to find out how much you’ve understood well that is marvelous

you’ve understood well that is marvelous

you’ve understood well that is marvelous it’s a wonderful thing that the internet

it’s a wonderful thing that the internet

it’s a wonderful thing that the internet and data have opened up so much of the

and data have opened up so much of the

and data have opened up so much of the field of human knowledge to so many more

field of human knowledge to so many more

field of human knowledge to so many more people but it’s not a good thing if we

people but it’s not a good thing if we

people but it’s not a good thing if we lose track of what knowledge is if we

lose track of what knowledge is if we

lose track of what knowledge is if we start to think of knowledge as a

start to think of knowledge as a

start to think of knowledge as a substance like porridge that you scoop

substance like porridge that you scoop

substance like porridge that you scoop out with your facts ladle into the empty

out with your facts ladle into the empty

out with your facts ladle into the empty bowls of ignorance come on Charlie you

bowls of ignorance come on Charlie you

bowls of ignorance come on Charlie you all have a fact ladle ready to fill the

all have a fact ladle ready to fill the

all have a fact ladle ready to fill the empty bowls of ignorance knowledge is

empty bowls of ignorance knowledge is

empty bowls of ignorance knowledge is not something that exists in the bits of

not something that exists in the bits of

not something that exists in the bits of paper it’s not existing in the ink on

paper it’s not existing in the ink on

paper it’s not existing in the ink on the paper on the page of a book or on in

the paper on the page of a book or on in

the paper on the page of a book or on in the ones and zeros inside a computer

the ones and zeros inside a computer

the ones and zeros inside a computer knowledge is a field of human activity

knowledge is a field of human activity

knowledge is a field of human activity knowing is a verb it’s a thing that

knowing is a verb it’s a thing that

knowing is a verb it’s a thing that human beings do so yes it may be true

human beings do so yes it may be true

human beings do so yes it may be true that in the Internet age any fact on the

that in the Internet age any fact on the

that in the Internet age any fact on the Internet can be found in four clicks or

Internet can be found in four clicks or

Internet can be found in four clicks or in three clicks if you’re a machine but

in three clicks if you’re a machine but

in three clicks if you’re a machine but the machine won’t know

the machine won’t know

the machine won’t know it means the kid that googled and found

it means the kid that googled and found

it means the kid that googled and found the answer of 600 million cats had

the answer of 600 million cats had

the answer of 600 million cats had completely the wrong idea the point was

completely the wrong idea the point was

completely the wrong idea the point was never to learn how many cats there are

never to learn how many cats there are

never to learn how many cats there are in the world the point must learn how to

in the world the point must learn how to

in the world the point must learn how to estimate how to build your reasoning

estimate how to build your reasoning

estimate how to build your reasoning muscle by starting with something you do

muscle by starting with something you do

muscle by starting with something you do know a given there are seven billion

know a given there are seven billion

know a given there are seven billion people in the world and seeing if your

people in the world and seeing if your

people in the world and seeing if your reason can take you from that to

reason can take you from that to

reason can take you from that to understanding something completely new

understanding something completely new

understanding something completely new about the world

about the world

about the world so in the age of big data knowledge is

so in the age of big data knowledge is

so in the age of big data knowledge is as it has always been a field of human

as it has always been a field of human

as it has always been a field of human activity and the human activity is

activity and the human activity is

activity and the human activity is learning and reasoning and knowing thank

learning and reasoning and knowing thank

learning and reasoning and knowing thank you

”

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