Unprecedented Clarity

A couple of weeks back I had a "significant learning moment".  Someone drew the following diagram on a whiteboard and asked, "What does this mean?"

Ask ten people and you will very likely get multiple different answers. Who is to say which answer is right and which is wrong?  Basically, if one does not specify what the above means with clarity, then those looking at that diagram are free to make assumptions as to the intent of the creator of the diagram.

Let's take this example further.  What does the diagram below mean and how does the diagram below differ from the diagram above?


And yet another diagram; how does what you see below differ from what you see above?

So, let's keep going.  How does the diagram above differ from the diagram below?  Note that I have added an arrow from Thing 1 to Thing 2.

And what about the difference between the diagrams above and below. Note that I added a label that describes the relation between Thing 1 and Thing 2.


And now let's add another dynamic.  What is the difference between the diagram above and the diagram below (i.e. what does adding color actually mean):
What exactly does that arrow on the line mean and the words above the arrow?  Let us take one final step. What exactly does the graphic below mean and how does that differ from the diagrams above?


Now, imagine trying to implement any of the above, and particularly the last and most complex diagram in a computer software application.  Not only do you have to be concerned with the logic of what is being implemented; you also have to be concerned with (a) the difference between the logic you are trying to communicate to the software developer implementing the software but (b) you have to be sure your logic and the logic implemented within the software is the same.  This is not to address the architecture used to implement the software that the software developer is creating.

One final thing to contemplate and then I will get to my point.  What diagram conveys the most expressive power?  The first or the last?  What is the relative power of each representation?  Certainly the power is different because the representations are different.

OK, my point.  Actually I have several points.

My first point is that computers are dumb beasts.  If computers are so dumb; then how do you get those dumb beasts to do anything useful?  Well, that is what the professions of computer science, information technology, knowledge engineering, informatics, and cybernetics are all about: making the dumb beasts do useful work.  It is not a mystery.  In fact, it is not mysterious in any way.  Part science like how a relational database works using logic, mathematics, and set theory.  Part art how Steve Jobs and Apple created the iPhone.

My second point is that global standards matter; in fact they matter a lot.  A problem solving system has many moving parts. Using standard parts and using building codes makes things easier.  The information architecture of most enterprises today is pretty much a big mess.  The architecture might look normal because everyone is pretty much making the same mistakes.  But just because everyone is doing the same thing does not make it right.  It is a really big mess.

My third point is that the vision of the semantic web is no longer just a vision.  It can be real.  The global standard pieces are in place now.  A big piece is the W3C's RDF Star.  For more information, see: What is RDF Star? | RDF-star and SPARQL-star | RDF 1.2 Concepts and Abstract Syntax | RDF 1.2 Semantics | SPARQL 1.2 Query Language | RDF 1.2 Schema | RDF 1.2 XML Syntax | RDF 1.2 Turtle | RDF 1.2 Primer | Making Sense of Data with RDF* vs. LPG.

RDF-star bridges the gap between traditional RDF and Labeled Property Graph (LPG) graph models. So now where is one global standard graph model.

My fourth point is that the world has been changing and the pace of change is about to increase a notch or two.  Me, I package this change as "modern accountancy".  No one, and I really mean no one including myself, knows exactly how all this is going to turn out.  But, if you increase your digital proficiency and have a digital first mindset you will do better than average. Remember, the rules have changed; trying to understand what is going on with your old map will not be very satisfying.

My fifth and final point is that the status quo for many things is doomed. I can declare that the risk dynamics have changed.  While the changes may take years in some cases, the changes will come eventually.  The changes are inevitable.  But be careful of the snake oil salesmen.

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