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On the Wikipedia page Knowledge Economy it specifies that knowledge and information are not one in the same as they are often described. I personally believe this to be true as well. We (as CIS students in particular) are taught to differentiate between the the definitions of data and information. As many of you will recall data is nothing more than raw facts. Information gives those facts a purpose, a meaning. Likewise it is my understanding while you cannot have knowledge without information, knowledge is the practice of using that information.

Knowledge is a very peculiar concept simply because of how abstract it truly is. Most commonly knowledge is referred to as the product of experience, much like wisdom. Yet the knowledge one gains over the course of years can be taught to another in a matter of seconds in some cases. That is what I believe the basis of the knowledge economy. Since knowledge sometimes takes years to gain, but can be passed on a matter of seconds it has become a demand with a limitless quantity. There is nothing more organic than the human mind and therefore there is always new discoveries that can aid others in some manner. Thanks to the high level of connectivity through technology, knowledge can be transported from person to person, and it is from that demand and flow that the economy arose.

Cheers,
Eric Summers