credit: karabehrens, flickr.com
In his interesting article on techcrunch.com, Erick Schonfeld explores the new scenario of real-time search. Twitter and instant blogging are a consequence, and the result, of how we use technology and how technology is changing our lifestyles. Among these transformations, Schonfeld includes a series of new search engines (OneRiot, Collecta that are trying to address the need of real time search.
Real-time search looks like something different to the search we are used to. It is based on the criterion of recency (date sorted results, for example). Twitter search is a good example of a real-time search engine that does nothing special but sorting result by date.
This phenomenon is a response to the way both people and technology are changing. Real-time results are an index of what is going on and what are the hottest themes among people and on the “real-time web”. In fact, by reading Schonfeld’s article, we may think that there is a web at double speed or, better, a web based on memories and one that based on thoughts and information not yet consolidated.
I don’t think that recency is something different from relevancy, it’s just part of it. What is relevant to me changes during my personal stream of experiences and recency can become an important factor at a certain point. However, what is recent doesn’t have the qualities of what has been seen, read, thought. Like most of the aspect of contemporary life and society, real-time information can be ephemeral and in the end not useful. To me real-time also means powerful and frenetic: think of what is going on about Michael Jackson these days.
It is a very interesting theme though and I all invite you to follow the Real-time Stream CrunchUp on the 10th of July.
