What does IT really stand for?
Everybody knows, right?
Information Technology.
So why is it that in our industry we are almost solely focused on data?
It’s all database, data lake, data warehouse, big data…
Why not just call it Data Technology?
Well, we take data, and we transform that into information.
Let me quote Tony Robbins—well, half of a quote:
“We’re drowning in information.”
So it’s not like we need more information.
From Information to Knowledge
At what point do we go from information to knowledge?
We’ve got our personal knowledge management systems—PKM, right?
Say we’re reading a book, maybe on Kindle.
We highlight something, and it gets automatically saved into our PKM system.
Now, does that mean it’s our knowledge?
No—it’s the author’s knowledge.
And we don’t even know if that’s based on real, lived experience.
Just because we read something, highlight it, and stash it into a system doesn’t mean it’s ours.
We haven’t synthesized it yet.
We haven’t internalized it.
From Knowledge to Insight to Wisdom
At what point do we begin to see insights?
And then, from those insights—do we ever reach wisdom?
Here’s the second half of that Tony Robbins quote:
“We’re drowning in information, but starving for wisdom.”
So…
How do we make it to wisdom?
And once we do—what for?
To sit at the top of a mountain like some guru who knows everything?
Why do we chase wisdom?
Wisdom to Impact
Here’s the real question:
At what point do we turn wisdom into positive impact?
Because if we’re not creating impact…
Then why did we collect all that data in the first place?
And once we have made a positive impact, we can ask:
- Do we want to make that impact bigger?
- Or a different kind of impact?
If so, we ask:
What kind of data do we need next?
And the cycle begins again.
Now that feels healthy.
Rethinking IT
So here’s what I propose:
Instead of Information Technology,
How about Impact Technology?
Let’s go beyond data and information.
Let’s see it all the way through—
To positive impact…
…and back again.
That’s what I’ve been pondering.
I’m collecting thoughts, building out examples for each of these steps.
Let me know what you think:
- Is this a crazy idea?
- Have you had similar thoughts?
- Do you know of any books, talks, or frameworks that explore this journey?
I’m looking to deepen my understanding—
To grow wiser—
And to help make a greater impact.
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