This paper was written as a part of [8] and is intended primarily to provide the definitions and results concerning motives over simplicial schemes, which are used in the proof of the Bloch-Kato conjecture.

We show how to make precise the vague idea that for compact metric spaces that are close together for Gromov–Hausdorff distance, suitable vector bundles on one metric space will have counterpart vector bundles on the other. Our approach employs the Lipschitz constants of projection-valued functions that determine vector bundles. We develop some computational techniques, and we illustrate our ideas with simple specific examples involving vector bundles on the circle, the two-torus, the two-sphere, and finite metric spaces. Our topic is motivated by statements concerning “monopole bundles” over matrix algebras in the literature of theoretical high-energy physics.

We study the theory of higher Grothendieck-Witt groups, alias algebraic hermitian K-theory, of symmetric bilinear forms in exact categories, and prove additivity, cofinality, dévissage and localization theorems – preparing the ground for the theory of higher Grothendieck-Witt groups of schemes as developed in [Sch08a] and [Sch08b]. No assumption on the characteristic is being made.

We explain how higher homotopy operations, defined topologically, may be identified under mild assumptions with (the last of) the Dwyer-Kan-Smith cohomological obstructions to rectifying homotopy-commutative diagrams.