Media Release
Knowledge in the Information Age
27 October 2004
"Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?" T.S. Eliot, The Rock
The question of knowledge versus information in our contemporary world will be examined by Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Doherty AC when he delivers the 2004 Keith Murdoch Oration at the State Library of Victoria on Thursday 4 November.
In exploring his topic, Knowledge in the Information Age, Professor Doherty will address issues such as the impact of information technology, the media and the Internet, the consequences of genomics, the problem of ‘information overload’ and the changing role of libraries. Summarising his thoughts on the topic Professor Doherty said:
"Social and economic models that emphasize innovation, discovery and life-long learning depend on sophisticated systems for processing information. The role and use of libraries will be discussed, using examples from medical science and looking at how collections preserve the wealth of human commentary and creativity. Knowledge is power but power cannot flow without properly fuelled generators and connectivity!"
An internationally renowned Australian scientist, Professor Doherty shared with Swiss colleague Rolf Zinkernagel the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, for their discovery of how the immune system recognises virus-infected cells. Today, Professor Doherty is a Laureate Professor at the University of Melbourne and a Burnet Fellow of the National Health and Medical Research Council. Over the past two years he had developed a new research program in viral immunity at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne.
The Keith Murdoch Oration was established in 2001 to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of Sir Keith Murdoch and his family to the State Library of Victoria. The inaugural oration was delivered by Rupert Murdoch in October 2001. The oration raises funds to support the work of the State Library and reflects the Library’s commitment to promoting debate in the community about knowledge and culture.
The 2004 Keith Murdoch Oration will be delivered by Professor Peter Doherty at a dinner held in the State Library’s Cowen Gallery at 7pm on Thursday 4 November.
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