Re: A discussion: Is semantic web an old fashioned idea? Is it bubble, unworthy or an interesting research area - Post your comments

Danny Ayers wrote:

> Heh, a little cynicism goes a long way ;-)
> 
> btw, did anyone happen to save a copy of Ted Nelson's "XML is Evil" piece?
> 
> http://ted.hyperland.com/XMLisEvil.html
> 
> Cheers,
> Danny.
> 

Ted Nelson did write some stuff on the Semantic Web and XML too:

"XML is not an improvement but a hierarchy hamburger. Everything, 
everything must be forced into hierarchical templates! And the "semantic 
web" means that tekkie committees will decide the world's true concepts 
for once and for all. Enforcement is going to be another problem :) It 
is a very strange way of thinking, but all too many people are buying in 
because they think that's how it must be.

There is an alternative.

Markup must not be embedded. Hierarchies and files must not be part of 
the mental structure of documents. Links must go both ways. All these 
fundamental errors of the Web must be repaired. But the geeks have tried 
to lock the door behind them to make nothing else possible.

We fight on."

http://ted.hyperland.com/buyin.txt

Received on Thursday, 17 June 2004 17:01:03 UTC