Inaugural Entry

Question for the class: What is the difference between information and knowledge?

Information and knowledge are related but distinct concepts. Information is often little more than "raw data", a conglomeration of facts, ideas, observations and the like. Knowledge, on the other hand, is the ability to place that "raw data" into context.

It is difficult to say in a black-and-white fashion which is most important. They are interconnected, interrelated and in a perfect world, interdependent. It is difficult, but not impossible to do mush with either without the other. As a partnership, they are essential to communication.

Facts in themselves are often of minimal value without the appropriate context and framework of the situation. As an example, consider the information that the project you are working on lacks a necessary euphonium. This knowledge is of little benefit if you have no idea what a euphonium is, what it does, or where to find one. (As a supply officer in the military I ran into this kind of challenge frequently)

By contrast, if you know that your project is conducting a symphony, that context would increase the likelihood that what you are looking for is a muscial instrument. If you knew one of the musicians in the brass section is screaming that his instrument is missing, you could probably narrow down that what you are indeed looking for is a brass instrument. Without the context, the knoweldge of what is going on, the facts are not terribly illuminating.

On the other hand, you would be in a difficult situation indeed if you were conducting a musical concert and did not know the names of the instruments. Imagine trying to explain that you need one of those "big shiny brass thingy's that you blow into and it makes a loud noise". Without information, the fact in this case the name of the instrument, the context is of value but sadly lacking.

Information and knowledge are essential components of human understanding.

Time is short, to be continued...

dgsact1