In one field, the human brain still  outstrips the prodigious ability of the Internet search engine to search content. that is because the brain engages in "creative searching" connecting different types of knowledge stored in different regions. Professor Weibo Gong (U.Mass and CFINS Tsinghua) in a talk on 2/23/09 at the U. of Massachusetts Amherst argued that means exist to tap the enormous capacity of the Internet to make creative connections efficiently, that this will likely happen soon, and we should be prepared for the consequences. 

poster for the lecture

Professor Gong, wife, daughter with the UMass Chancellor

Professor Gong giving the lecture

Dinner reception given by the Chancellor.

(A separate note regarding given prestigious lectures: This reminded me a few years back, an American Nobel prize winner was invited at great expense to give a similar lecture in Beijing, China. It was practically the worst lecture of this kind I have heard in my life. As an American, I was ashamed. As an ethnic Chinese, I feel insulted by the disrespect to China shown by the lecturer (He apparently think that zero preparation and no content are whatChinese deserve) . Excuse me for venting my anger here. It is high time China grow out of this blind adoration and obsession for the Nobel prize.)