Accidental Information Discovery

Chapter 5

Serendipity in Future Digital Information Environments

Abstract

While initial discussions on accidental information discovery in digital environments focused on concerns about the loss of serendipity as a result of digitalization, most current discussions accept that digital information environments can and, where useful, should create opportunities for serendipity. As Lori McCay-Peet notes in her essay “Digital Information Environments That Facilitate Serendipity”, “It is no longer about whether technologies are helping or hurting serendipity. That question is too broad and not helpful.” A more helpful question, and one that is answered in this chapter, is “how can we design digital information environments to (best) cultivate serendipity?” ...