August 3, 2009
The Zen of Structured Data
A disciple came to a temple to speak with a master ontologist. "Master," the disciple said, "teach me how to describe all existence!"
The master handed the disciple a pebble. "First, start by describing this small stone." The disciple went away and sat under a bridge by a stream. For six days and nights he struggled to create a taxonomy for the pebble. On the seventh day, he returned to the temple.
"Master," the disciple said, "I have devised the perfect taxonomy for this small stone." He unrolled an entire scroll at the master's feet, covered on both sides with arcane markings, graphs, and code.
The master then struck the disciple on the head with a stick. The disciple was then enlightened.

Posted by Bart on Aug. 04, 2009 at 9:55 AM [#]
Posted by Evan on Aug. 04, 2009 at 7:55 PM [#]