Thursday, May 01, 2008

Live KM blogging: The monopoly on useful knowledge is over

So says Larry Prusak.

His point is this: For 400 years, there was a monopoly on useful knowledge -- science and technology. Monopoly held by Western Europe, North America, and Japan.

According to Mr. Pursak, these monopolies are no more. Just think of China, India, Brazil. More and more, useful knowledge is becoming ubiqutous.

Mr. Pursak suggests that this is just one half of a monolithic revolution which is as huge and shattering as the Industrial Revolution.

The other half of the revolution is the plumetting cost of information transactions, making information even more available.

Now, having said that, there is a difference between information and knowledge. Information doesn't require people. Knowledge does, however.

Everyone has access to information; the value of information is sinking. Knowledge, applying meaning to information and truly understanding information, is increasing in value. Knowledge is expensive.

No comments: