With an increasing number of documents available on the web the fact is that most people do not know how to sift through them and make practical use of the data available. Governmental, economic and business transparency means little when only the technicians can make use of the information.
The data divide is between the technicians and the population in general. Jesse Lichtenstein points out that when in South India the information on 20 million land titles became digitally available it was corporations and the wealthy who hired lawyers and predatory land agents to challenge titles, export gaps in records, identify targets for bribery and snap up land titles. Transparency in itself does not guarantee good results for society.
The same misuse of data is likely happening in the US. However, the divide that is clear and certain here is between the technicians and the vast majority of people who do not have the training or time to both access and understand the implications of the data. This will continue to be a lost opportunity for productivity and decision making on all levels.
Data.gov is subtitled "Empowering People" and provides Data and Apps, Communities, Open Government, Learn, Semantic Web and Developer's Corner.
Sunlight Foundation is subtitled Making Government Transparent and Accountable.
MAPlight.org is subtitled "Money & Politics: Illuminating the Connection".
The these three sites illustrate some of the data now available. If the data divide is to be managed the citizenry will need to become increasingly educated in the skills of accessing then understanding what the data means. This starts right here at home.
The data divide is between the technicians and the population in general. Jesse Lichtenstein points out that when in South India the information on 20 million land titles became digitally available it was corporations and the wealthy who hired lawyers and predatory land agents to challenge titles, export gaps in records, identify targets for bribery and snap up land titles. Transparency in itself does not guarantee good results for society.
The same misuse of data is likely happening in the US. However, the divide that is clear and certain here is between the technicians and the vast majority of people who do not have the training or time to both access and understand the implications of the data. This will continue to be a lost opportunity for productivity and decision making on all levels.
Data.gov is subtitled "Empowering People" and provides Data and Apps, Communities, Open Government, Learn, Semantic Web and Developer's Corner.
Sunlight Foundation is subtitled Making Government Transparent and Accountable.
MAPlight.org is subtitled "Money & Politics: Illuminating the Connection".
The these three sites illustrate some of the data now available. If the data divide is to be managed the citizenry will need to become increasingly educated in the skills of accessing then understanding what the data means. This starts right here at home.
1 comment:
Well said, and so very very true!
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