Connectors require facts

Connectors require facts

The state of learning (particularly memorization) is at a weird place in time. Since the launch of Google 25 years ago, and steadily increasing as things like Wikipedia, smartphones, and AI came along, the need to memorize information has become less important. However, it’s becoming increasing important to develop the ability to connect information to make new insights.

In a recent podcast from Adam Grant, where he spoke with OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Grant seemed to somewhat disagree, saying:

“And if you were a fact collector, that made you smart and respected. And now I think it’s much more valuable to be a connector of dots than a collector of facts that if you can synthesize and recognize patterns, you have an edge.”

Between Adam and myself, I think we see “connectors” in a few different ways:

• Connecting facts and ideas. For example, this could be learning systems like “Traction” but also learning systems like “The 12 Week Year” and pulling the best pieces from each. You can’t notice those differences unless you understand both systems.

• Recognizing patterns, such as various mental models that you can learn and apply, which relies less on facts stored in our heads.

Related is another concept from “The 12 Week Year” regarding knowledge and making use of it, where they shared:

“You’ve no doubt heard the saying knowledge is power. I disagree. Knowledge is only powerful if you use it, if you act on it. People spend lifetimes acquiring knowledge, but to what purpose? Knowledge alone benefits no one unless the person acquiring it does something with it.”

Regardless of the way you acquire knowledge, whether it’s learning and memorizing up front or making efficient use of technology to find answers as needed, the application of that knowledge is where the true value lives. Becoming a “connector of dots” will make you indispensable to any organization that you wish to serve, and you can only connect the dots that you already know.