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INFORMATION IS POWER, WITH A COUPLE CAVEATS

Perspective from the 19th Hole is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

Over my years in professional and private life, I have tended to believe that information is power.

If you have more of it, good.

If you are lacking it, find it.

But, I have at least two caveats:

  • First, the information you have must be accurate.
  • Second, the information you have must be in context.

Think about that for just a moment.  For example, one Donald Trump believes he has ALL the information anyone needs, but it is inaccurate and out of context.  And it often is based lies.

So, it doesn’t matter, no matter how much he thinks it does.

In an AI overview, here is how Google rates information:

“Information is power, but it is only truly powerful when it is accurate, understood, and put into action.

“The classic saying ‘knowledge is power; was popularized by Sir Francis Bacon in 1597, and information serves as the raw fuel for that knowledge.

“Why information is power:

  • Better Decisions:  Accurate data helps people and businesses monitor progress and solve complex problems.
  • Influence:  Controlling key facts gives leaders, corporations, and governments leverage and authority.
  • Awareness: Knowing the facts helps individuals mitigate risks and spot opportunities.

To this, I would context.  If you don’t place information in context, you lose.

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