"The notion of a "world brain" once evoked by H. G. Wells and Otlet has found plenty of adherents in the modern era." #readingToday

The notion of a "world brain" once evoked by H. G. Wells and Otlet has found plenty of adherents in the modern era. Contemporary pundits like Ray Kurzweil, Howard Bloom, Kevin Kelly, and others have all advocated the possibility of a global planetary awakening, as the Web takes us to the next step in the evolution of human consciousness. In the end, what distinguishes Otlet's vision from these cyber-utopians is his belief in the positive role of institutions. More than simply individuals were enlightened; institutions too could be enlightened. Otlet saw his ideal society as a perpetual work in progress, one that would require constant effort and adaptation— an aspirational ideal more than an ultimate end state. He saw human culture as a living organism, forever moving forward on the never-ending path to realization.

Cataloging the World, Alex Wright