Doug Engelbart (Doug Engelbart Institute Founder) – Enabling technology – Missing pieces | Engelbart Colloquium @ Stanford [Week 4 of 10] (Mar 2015)


Chapters

00:00:29 Stanford Colloquium Announcements
00:05:22 Kodiak: A Dynamic Knowledge Repository for Rational Evolution
00:11:24 Hyper-Document Systems and the Bootstrap Institute
00:14:02 Open Standards for Knowledge Containers and Tool System Functions
00:21:40 Uncovering the Interdependence of Tool Systems and Human Capabilities
00:26:01 Co-Evolution of Tools, Humans, and Social Organisms
00:32:04 Augmenting Human Intelligence through Computer Technology
00:41:43 Augmenting Digital Environments with Dynamic Repositories
00:50:09 Evolution of Hypertext and the User Interface
00:55:12 Evolution of User Interfaces and Command Language Interpreters
01:01:14 Innovative Interfaces for Handicapped People in Computer Systems
01:06:38 Collective Intelligence and Dynamic Knowledge Repository
01:11:32 Strategies for Managing and Updating Knowledge Bases
01:21:35 Designing a Dynamic Knowledge System for Global Governance

Abstract

Exploring the Future of Knowledge Management: Insights from Doug Engelbart and the Millennium Project

In the rapidly evolving field of knowledge management, the recent colloquium highlighted several key developments and futuristic visions shared by pioneers like Doug Engelbart and initiatives such as the Millennium Project. This updated article integrates supplemental information to provide a comprehensive overview of the past, present, and future of knowledge management.

Dynamic Knowledge Repositories: Challenges and Evolution

The importance of building dynamic knowledge repositories was emphasized at the colloquium. Engelbart compared this monumental task to a journey to the moon, stressing the need for hands-on experience. He introduced CODIAC (Collective Intelligence Amplification), advocating for an open hyper document system and emergent technologies to support this concept. The auctioning off of the NLS system to Timeshare and the subsequent formation of an Office Automation Group within McDonnell Douglas showcased early implementations of advanced knowledge management practices.

Engelbart emphasizes the importance of understanding basic human capabilities and how they have evolved over time. He discusses the role of mental structuring, concepts, and symbols in human thought and communication, highlighting the work of Benjamin Whorf on the relationship between language and worldview. Engelbart believes that computers have the potential to significantly enhance human capabilities and revolutionize the way we work and interact. He envisions a future where computers will provide us with more flexible and efficient ways to represent, manipulate, and share information, emphasizing the need to move beyond traditional tools and explore new possibilities for human-computer interaction.

Engelbart’s work on digital document management and collaboration includes implementing a digital document repository, emphasizing the benefits of permanent document storage, introducing an announcement system for document updates, enabling flexible document viewing options, tracking external documents, envisioning a dynamic knowledge product, developing a status reporting and macro system, and addressing challenges and resistance to adoption. Practical applications of this work include its use in project management and status reporting at McDonnell Douglas.

The Importance of Standards in Collaborative Knowledge Work

Engelbart emphasized the crucial role of standards for the unambiguous description and usage of properties in knowledge containers. He advocated for the involvement of end-users in evolving these standards, fostering clear communication among users and developing a more integrated and efficient system of knowledge management. Open standards are crucial for an open hyper-document system’s evolution, allowing for organic growth without relying on vendors’ yearly releases. The open source movement is a viable approach to involve proactive users in the system’s evolution.

Augmented Knowledge Workshops and Open Hybrid Argumentation Systems

The concept of augmented knowledge workshops was another focal point. Engelbart’s work in this area led to the specification of a workshop utility service, enabling users on the ARPANET to learn and utilize advanced systems. He also proposed separating software applications’ front end and back end, enabling a general front end to interact uniformly with various applications. This division was essential in creating more user-friendly and adaptable systems.

Engelbart also introduced the idea of Open Hybrid Argumentation Systems (OHS). He stressed leveraging existing frameworks to evolve and improve OHS, recognizing the potential in extending sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities for more effective human-computer interaction. High-performance teams are proposed as outposts to explore the frontiers of tool and human system capabilities. These teams need advanced tools and knowledge containers to operate effectively within ongoing social structures. High-performance teams demonstrate advanced capabilities and serve as role models for others. They use specialized tools and human system enhancements to achieve remarkable results. Their work is visible and accessible to others, fostering learning and development.

The evolution of the open hyperdocument system and user interface design involves the history and orientation of augmented knowledge workshops, the separation of front-end and back-end application program functions, the introduction of a general front end, and the development of a user interface system that communicates with the server through a network. Engelbart acknowledges the challenges associated with this separation.

The Millennium Project: A Vision of Collective Human Thinking

The colloquium featured insights from the Millennium Project, led by Jerry Glenn. This project aimed to enable collective human thinking and utilized a grid structure to organize and analyze information across various domains. The project’s annual “state of the book” report evolved from a static document to a dynamic online platform where experts could contribute and update information. This approach aimed to combine universal knowledge with precise, context-specific insights.

The Millennium Project employs a grid-based Dynamic Knowledge Repository, which consists of domains (categories) along the top and individual elements (issues, opportunities, challenges, actions, websites, questions, etc.) along the left side. By clicking on a cell in the grid, users can access information related to a specific domain and element, such as the current state of play, actions taken to address the issue, and judgments from policy makers and experts.

The Millennium Project collects data through one-on-one interviews with policy makers and experts from around the world. These interviews gather information on the actions taken to address various issues, challenges, and opportunities. The collected data is then synthesized into concise paragraphs or comments for each action.

The Millennium Project produces annual reports and publications that synthesize the collected data and provide insights into the current state of play and future trends in various domains. These reports serve as valuable resources for policy makers, researchers, and practitioners working on global issues. The project aims to contribute to informed decision-making and promote collaboration among stakeholders to address complex challenges.

Dynamic Modeling and Expanding the Millennium Project

– The Millennium Project conducts an annual review of its research findings and presents them in a report called the State of the Book.

– The Millennium Project uses dynamic modeling to explore how different factors interact and influence each other over time.

– The Millennium Project is expanding its research efforts to include more countries and cultures.

– The Millennium Project is developing a cyber game that will allow people to experiment with different strategies for solving real-world problems.

Notes on a Dynamic Knowledge System, its Features, and Influences

– The Dynamic Knowledge System allows users to explore the evolution of any concept or issue by delving into its past.

– The Dynamic Knowledge System incorporates mechanisms for users to transition from the open system to a professional system by completing questionnaires and contributing to the work.

– The system seeks to foster a dynamic process where interviews with decision-makers serve as briefings and contribute to the overall knowledge system.

Doug Engelbart’s Vision of the Future of Computing

Looking ahead, Engelbart’s vision for the professional knowledge worker of 2020 emphasized a shift in how thoughts transform between external and internal mediums. He foresaw computers offering new ways to represent and convey information, moving beyond the limitations of language. This vision entailed a system where every object in a file was addressable and interconnected, revolutionizing data storage and manipulation.

The Ongoing Evolution of Knowledge Management

From Engelbart’s pioneering work to the Millennium Project’s innovative approaches, the colloquium underscored the continual evolution of knowledge management. As technology advances, our ability to collaborate and innovate increases, paving the way for a more interconnected and knowledgeable society. The co-evolution of the tool system and the human system is a complex challenge that requires strategic attention, with high-performance teams serving as pioneers in this journey.


Notes by: Hephaestus