Ask ChatGPT: Are We Creating Our Own 'Library of Alexandria' by Storing the Sum of Human Knowledge Online?

The Library of Alexandria is considered one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. It was thought to have burned down after Julius Caesar had set fire to his own ships during Caesar's Civil War^. It was the storehouse of knowledge in what was considered the epicenter of knowledge and learning. Data centers, and the networks that connect them can be viewed in the same way. Whenever we watch a movie online or read a document, we take for granted the fact that movie or document is stored on storage device, being accessed by a server located in a physical building, and the gets transmitted to the viewer. If we are streaming the data or viewing it online, the data is ephemeral. If a physical copy of the data does not exist outside of the data center, it would be forever lost should that data center be destroyed. We mitigate these risks through backups and distributing information to different data centers. However small it may be, there is still an existential threat to human knowledge, because so much of it is now stored in digital format. Would an archaeologist 1000 years from now be able to see what @joshman wrote on his Hive blog? It's doubtful.

This thread is something I've often pondered, so I decided to play around with ChatGPT to see what AI thought about the prospect of a modern day burning of the Library of Alexandria. I thought the answers I received were thought provoking.

Will data centers and the Internet become the modern day Library of Alexandria?

It is possible that data centers and the internet could become the modern-day equivalent of the Library of Alexandria in terms of their importance as a repository of knowledge and information.

The Library of Alexandria was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world, and it contained a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and other written works. The loss of the Library of Alexandria is considered a great tragedy for humanity, as many valuable works of literature, science, and philosophy were lost forever.

Similarly, data centers and the internet have the potential to become a vast repository of human knowledge and information. With the proliferation of digital technology, an increasing amount of information is being stored in digital form, and data centers are playing a crucial role in storing and processing this information.

However, it is important to note that the internet and data centers are not immune to the risks of loss or destruction. Cyberattacks, natural disasters, and other unforeseen events could potentially lead to the loss of valuable data and information stored in these facilities.

Therefore, while data centers and the internet have the potential to become the modern-day Library of Alexandria, it is important to take steps to ensure the preservation and protection of this valuable knowledge and information.

How much human knowledge would be lost if the internet and data centers ceased to exist?

If the internet and data centers were to cease to exist, a significant amount of human knowledge would be lost. The extent of the loss would depend on the scope of the disaster that caused the internet and data centers to cease functioning, as well as the degree to which data had been backed up or stored offline.

The internet and data centers contain a vast amount of information, including research papers, historical documents, scientific data, and cultural artifacts. This information has been accumulated over decades and even centuries, and its loss would represent a significant setback for humanity.

While some of this information is also stored in physical formats such as books, magazines, and other printed materials, much of it is only available online. Furthermore, the internet and data centers have facilitated the creation and dissemination of new knowledge through online collaboration, social media, and other digital platforms.

In short, if the internet and data centers ceased to exist, the loss of human knowledge would be substantial and far-reaching. It underscores the importance of taking measures to protect and preserve this valuable information for future generations.

Could an EMP or solar event wipe out the internet and data centers across the globe?

Yes, both an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and a solar event such as a massive coronal mass ejection (CME) or solar storm could potentially wipe out the internet and data centers across the globe.

An EMP is a burst of electromagnetic radiation that can be caused by a high-altitude nuclear detonation, a solar storm, or a device designed to generate an EMP. The EMP can induce electrical currents in conductive materials such as wires, cables, and electronic devices, potentially damaging or destroying them.

Similarly, a solar event such as a CME can also induce electrical currents in long conductors such as power lines, pipelines, and telecommunication cables. These currents can cause damage to electronic equipment, including computers and data centers, and can potentially cause widespread outages of the internet and other communication networks.

The impact of an EMP or solar event on technological infrastructure would depend on the strength and proximity of the event. A high-altitude nuclear detonation could potentially generate an EMP that could affect a large portion of the planet, while a CME or solar storm could have a more localized impact.

To mitigate the risk of an EMP or solar event causing widespread damage to technological infrastructure, it is important to take measures to protect critical systems and infrastructure. This includes hardening electronic equipment against EMPs and geomagnetic storms, as well as implementing redundancy and backup systems for data centers and other critical infrastructure.

Are we doing enough as a society to protect the sum of human knowledge from disasters such as EMP or solar events?

As a society, we are taking steps to protect the sum of human knowledge from disasters such as EMP or solar events, but there is still more that can be done to ensure the long-term preservation of this valuable information.

Many organizations, including governments, academic institutions, and private companies, have implemented measures to protect critical infrastructure such as data centers and communication networks from EMPs and other potential threats. These measures include hardening electronic equipment against EMPs, implementing redundancy and backup systems for critical infrastructure, and developing emergency response plans in the event of a disaster.

However, there are also challenges to preserving the sum of human knowledge that go beyond physical infrastructure. For example, much of the information that is available online is stored in proprietary formats or on servers that are controlled by private companies. This can make it difficult to ensure that this information is preserved over the long-term and made available to future generations.

Furthermore, there is a need for greater investment in digital preservation and data management. This includes developing standards for data preservation, investing in long-term storage solutions, and providing resources for the ongoing maintenance and management of digital collections.

In short, while we are taking steps to protect the sum of human knowledge from disasters such as EMPs and solar events, there is still more that can be done to ensure the long-term preservation of this valuable information. This will require continued investment in infrastructure, standards development, and digital preservation practices.

As time goes on, we print less and less, and rely on digital storage and distribution to obtain our knowledge. With technologies like Bitcoin, we even rely on it to store and transmit value. I think it's important to some extent that society hedges against such an event, by continuing to print documents. Even though I own Bitcoin, I still hedge against its downfall buy owning precious metals.

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