I would implement new terminology for describing the application of technology to a business solution. We're all familiar with the acronyms: Information Technology, or Information Systems. The problem is, it's all wrong. We don't need more information. We've got information coming out of our pores, more information than we possibly know what to do with. What we need is knowledge.
Information technology is about shuffling papers so you look busy. It's about meetings and having meetings to schedule more meetings. It's getting even more data in the database, more queries, more analysis, so you can organize and chart and present and discuss your data.
It's finding one million one hundred and sixty thousand references to the keywords beauty truth, when all you're looking for is some ode written on a grecian urn.
IT and IS are hunting and gathering, collecting and collating. Let's move beyond that. Let's start some agriculture. Let's start developing and cultivating and growing.
Give me Knowledge Technology and Knowledge Systems. I've had it up to my eyeballs with The Information Age. Bring me the Age of Knowledge. Ever heard the phrase "Information is Power?" What about "Knowledge Overload?" Didn't think so.
Yes, yes, my detractors will say, but that's what knowledge management is for. Knowledge management solves all those problems.
Since I'm in charge of everything, I will brush them aside: if anything, what we need is less management, not more, and the oxymoronic qualities of the phrase "knowledge management" leave a bitter taste. KM will always play second fiddle to IT. It will always be a "sub-practice." It will always be something "we really should do" "when we have the time." It's time to turn the tables. Time to start creating knowledge instead of the endless clutter of information.
Copyright 2002 © Robert K. Brown
