— Anatomy of an Idea is a wonderful, lyrical story by author Steven Johnson in which he details his research techniques and discovery process. Granted, Johnson is in a privileged position (not many people would read a quote by someone it transpires they are having lunch with that week) but I think this is a great description of a new research reality for many of us. In fact, one of the reasons I wanted to start this site was to have a handy compendium of the articles I have read, often with no specific research problem in mind, but which I know might be useful, somehow, some day. I also found his distinction of use of Twitter and Google super interesting—and again, one that mirrors my own: “The more subtle and complex the question, the more likely it’ll go to Twitter. But if it’s simply trying to find a citation or source, I’ll use Google.” As for the quote at top, well, I actually don’t think there’s any such thing as “correct” use of the Web, but serendipity is certainly online for the taking.

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