Sunday 20 November 2016

Week 11: What We Have, Or Should Have, In Common With Technology

Like us, the Internet is constantly growing and evolving to be ever than before.  From our last blog post, one of the fundamental and similar features of IoT applications shared is the use of technology gathering data in order for us to better complete task(s) as well as minimise distance between ourselves more efficiently and at a lower cost. Through this, it is needless to say how via ever-changing technologies can help and further facilitate changes in how we live, consume and produce things.

But as we leverage on this very advantage that technology can provide us, technology has not halted and it is constantly improving. To understand such an important phenomena (i.e. how technology keeps improving), it is important to take a look at one of these models called DIKW. Often cited as a widely recognised, yet 'taken-for-granted' information management model, it seeks to explain how streams of data can moves into stages which eventually falls into wisdom. One good quote I was fondly reminded of as this model was briefly mentioned in class is this: "Wisdom is not knowledge. Therefore it’s not knowing that 2+2=4, but how/why 2+2=4"

The DIKW refers to Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom with components of actions and decisions. By referring to the model, we can understand how data goes through each stages/hierarchy of stages before reaching to wisdom (where most innovations occurs). In an attempt to better understand, allow me to explain each stage as briefly as possible with some whimsical scenario. 


Think of scenario where you last had a petty argument with a significant other over how you are always late in meeting him/her (you're not late, that person is simply early). ANYWAYS, both of y'all dropped the argument for a later time... with that later time being later that night. As you lay in bed and about to tuck in, you receive a message from your boo.

Data

Represented by symbols, stimuli, signs or signals, the data simply exist with no meaning attributed to it whatsoever. As for the scenario we have imagined above, the data presented in this stage is the 'ding' sound you receive on your phone when you get a message.



Information 

Data presented then moves on to the information stage where we can articulate what the message means. As such, this information becomes useful and is able to serve a function. In this case, we open the message and try to understand the underlying meaning in the message.


Knowledge

In this stage, we understood the message as a passive aggressive strategy on their part to restart the argument. Feelings might start to boil as you can choose come up with a message to counter that passive aggressive message, apologise for your tardiness and make an effort not to be late again or ignore the passive aggression and go to sleep instead. As we all know from past experience, unresolved issues can lead to arguments being brought up in the future as we can recognise the patterns of communications of our boo. 

 

Wisdom 

As mentioned, we can learn from past experience the patterns of communication that emerge through interaction. In this case, we have three options to choose from: 

A: Be passive aggressive and reply with a K. 
B: Ignore the message and go to sleep. 
C: Take the high road and ...


Because we all know our boo's too precious to lose over a petty argument like that. Words of advice, a wise friend once told me that if you ever faced with an argument, ask yourself: "Will it matter in 5 years time?" 

Spoiler: This won't. 

Characterised as having the quality of experience, knowledge and good judgment, being wise requires critical thinking and choosing the right battles to fight in order to get the best outcome one wants. With critical thinking, it enables us to process, analyze, and understand knowledge or the data by itself is worse than useless. 

While ignorance can be bliss, ignorance breeds misunderstanding and misuse of data which in turn can lead to knowledge not fully being utilise properly. This in turn creates a chain effect where no good outcomes can further be reproduced. 

In the technology world, this could then lead to the lack of innovation and technology may never improve. As such, technology as well as humankind should always aspire to keep improving. I will, indefinitely.  :)


Wisdom is not knowledge. Therefore it’s not knowing that 2+2=4, but how/why 2+2=4.

Source : http://www.coolnsmart.com/wise_quotes/
Wisdom is not knowledge. Therefore it’s not knowing that 2+2=4, but how/why 2+2=4.

Source : http://www.coolnsmart.com/wise_quotes

1 comment:

  1. Was lost on some stuff taught in class and chanced upon your blog, the DIKW pyramid and your analogy really helped bridge the gap towards my understanding better. You have an interesting way in explaining things. Thank you.

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