Matthew Schofield in European anti-terror efforts hobbled by lack of trust, shared intelligence hits upon the primary reason for resistance to topic maps and other knowledge integration technologies.
“Especially in intelligence, knowledge is power. No one willingly gives away power.” (Magnus Ranstorp, Swedish National Defense University)
From clerks who sort mail to accountants who cook the books to lawyers that defend patents and everyone else in between, everyone in an enterprise has knowledge, knowledge that gives them power others don’t have.
Topic maps have been pitched on a “greater good for the whole” basis but as Magnus points out, who the hell really wants that?
When confronted with a new technique, technology, methodology, the first and foremost question on everyone’s mind is:
Do I have more/less power/status with X?
A
approach loses power.
A
approach gains power.
Relevant lyrics:
Oh, there ain’t no rest for the wicked
Money don’t grow on trees
I got bills to pay
I got mouths to feed
And ain’t nothing in this world for free
No I can’t slow down
I can’t hold back
Though you know I wish I could
No there ain’t no rest for the wicked
Until we close our eyes for good
Sell topic maps to increase/gain power.
PS: Keep the line, “No one willingly gives away power” in discussions of why the ICIJ refuses to share the Panama Papers with the public.