Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1306IR // #c1306Synthesis

"In my opinion, “data is the new oil” was always a simplistic and flawed concept." "There’s no gold star for the business with the most data."

— In our words · Source: Digital Impact (Steve Lucas)

[Use when]

Your organization is collecting everything in the hope it becomes useful later.

[Why it matters]

Oil is scarce and data isn't. Lucas argues most stored data is sand: disconnected, unused and a storage cost on the ledger. Value comes from precise, accurate slices put to work, which calls for planning around demand instead of hoarding supply.

Filed under situations:When new tech lands in your workWhen your picture of things might be wrong

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