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"Decugis tells me that Scoop.it was created as a better response to an “information overload” environment. Typically, Internet sites use sophisticated algorithms to find huge volumes of information and then drown us in it. Little of that information is directly related to an individual user’s needs or interests.
“Human beings aren’t predictable,” Decugis says. “We realized algorithms alone aren’t great at predicting the content you will want.” Scoop.it’s solution has been to combine the best of computer brains with human brains. A community of real humans works to screen and curate information so that it flows to the right channels.
Real humans can use real judgment, real intuition and real common sense to identify what other real humans are craving—even as they use a certain amount of electronic wizardry to help sort through a rushing river of data. “We don’t just publish content,” Decugis says. “We rank it and optimize it.” This model may be a solid bet for reducing the havoc of information overload."
Via Howard Rheingold
I don't think that curation necessarily has to fulful some altrusitic motive, e.g. collecting content that other people will find useful, or providing signposts to help people navigate the information torrent. There is also a selfish motive - I do it for me, so that I can tune into emerging trends and gain my own insights into contemporary thought.