The new “Computational Knowledge Engine” called Wolfram|Alpha has gone through a full media cycle before it has even been unleashed on the world. It has been hyped as a “Google Killer” and denounced as snake oil, and we’re still at least a few days from release. The simple goal behind the engine is to connect searchers with precise information. Wolfram|Alpha’s search magic comes through a combination of natural language processing and a giant pool of curated data. If that doesn’t make sense, all you need to know is that people can’t wait to get their information hungry hands on it. A 10-minute preview posted by the Berkman Center on YouTube late last Wednesday has already garnered over 100,000 views. Stephen Wolfram, the brains behind Mathematica and author of A New Kind of Science, launches his brand new knowledge engine this month. He spoke to David Weinberger this week about how the tool works, and what it might do to search. The Reference Section: • Listen to the uncut audio of this interview on Radio Berkman Supreme • Bookmark the soon-to-be-launched Wolfram|Alpha page • David Weinberger speculates on the significance of Wolfram|Alpha • Follow Stephen Wolfram on his blog CC-licensed music this week: Neurowaxx: “Pop Circus” Greg Williams: “Teagarden Blues and Rain”