human vs digital search

Schematic Representation and Discussion of “Digital Search” vs. “Human Search”

Daniel McCarthywww.viralhousingfix.com

April 10, 2009

http://www.viralhousingfix.com/

©2009 by Daniel R. McCarthy/VHF Media Group

Digital search vs. human search

• Digital search depends on context, relevance and link interaction to determine the value of discrete content elements (web pages, video elements, digital images)

• Human search in the purest sense incorporates a person’s perspective, experience and influence in the organization of information about a specific topic.– In this schematic, the term “human search” is used to describe a

digital search that incorporates the behavior of individuals in their collection, dissemination and interaction with content.

April 10, 2009


Digital Search Schematic

ContextAnalysis of how the words and the images relate to

each other.

LinksAnalysis of the links into the site. Links are assessed for freshness,

quality and independence.

Contextual relevanceAnalysis of how relevant the

words on the content element are to the search terms.

Start: Search Term is entered

Index of pages is searched for internal and external characteristics

Search results delivered in order of relative weight of internal & external characteristics

April 10, 2009


Discussion of the components of Digital search

• Digital search indexes each web element – a web page and the incorporated text, video, photograph – to capture each discrete bit of content and the interaction from other web page.

• Context is determined by the way the different elements in the page relate to each other.– Are the language and images used in a logical way that conforms to standard practices.– Is the content fresh

• The relative value of the content elements is assessed in terms of discrete interactions from external sources.– How many links are directed to this specific web element?– Are those links from web elements that are consistent and dependable, i.e., conform to the

standards of context that has been established by the search engine.

• After context and relative value are established, the web elements are exposed to specific search terms, and examined for Contextual Relevance.– How closely do specific web elements conform to the specific terms that have been used in a

search.

• Relative placement in search results is determined by the degree to which each element is ranked in terms of their contextual relevance and the quality of external interaction.

April 10, 2009


Human Search Schematic

Person originates a content element that is shared with his connections.

Search term is entered

Indexed Content Database

Each content element has a series of associations indicating the influence of the individuals who originated the content and the frequency and type of interaction with the content.

Content elements are assessed for relevance to the search term, contextual relevance and link activity according to standard search protocols.

Individuals in his group of connections act on the content. Each action is associated with the piece of content. The content is associated to the originator and the interactor. If the content is redistributed, the person who redistributes it is also associated as an originator, and further actions are associated with the content.

Search results incorporate the

relative interest and influence of

individuals and groups of individuals

April 10, 2009


Discussion of the components of Human Search

• Human search incorporates the patterns of how individuals interacts with each other and with the content that they share between themselves with the contextual components of digital search.

• Each person is considered an object.• Individuals are single parts of interlocking groups of connections

• Each content element that is distributed by a person is associated at its root with that person.

• The content element is considered a second object

• Content is then evaluated in terms of the frequency that other people in the core connected group interact with it.

• Interactions include accessing the content, redistributing the content, commenting on the content to the originator or ignoring the content.

• Content elements are evaluated for relevance and quality based on the actions of the group and the habits of the group.

• For instance, if the content element has contextual similarities to other pieces of the content that the group interacts with frequently, and the group takes a number of with this specific piece of content, then the content is rated high in terms of relevance.

• Standard digital search routines are executed on each content element to assess context and contextual relevance.

April 10, 2009


Relevance of Social Media to Human Search

• Individuals and groups of individuals are more clearly defined on social media platforms– Twitter followers– Facebook Friends– FriendFeed Friends

• Content elements are discretely shared between connected groups.– Majority of content resides on originating server in originating format.– Content is further enriched by comments/interactions within social media

platform.

• Content database will grow rapidly– Real-time value is high– Archival value will grow as individuals achieve impact and influence through

identifying and sharing content elements that are relevant and interesting to their groups of connection.

April 10, 2009


Impediments to implementation

• Processing & storage capabilities• Ability to associate content originator to content elements

and successive actions.• Completeness of data base of content elements with

associations.• Privacy issues.

April 10, 2009

human vs digital search

Technology