Who Owns Data Part 6 Data Principles

“We’ve been exploring the underpinnings of data ownership in this series. Today, we tried to list out all of data’s fundamental principles.”

We’ve been exploring the underpinnings of data ownership in this series. Today, we tried to list out all of data’s fundamental principles. The idea here is that to get at ownership, you really have to understand what data is and where it comes from.

Data Defined

  1. Measurement requires something to measure and something to measure with.
  2. Measurements exist on a scale from qualitative (observations) to quantitative (measurements).
  3. Primary data is an attribute of a person, place, thing or process.
  4. Secondary data is an attribute of other data. It is also called metadata.
  5. Metada has all of the characteristics of data.
  6. A piece of data is one measurement or observation.
  7. Data is a record of measurement and/or observation.
  8. There is no data in the absence of measurement or observation.
  9. Data is created at the intersection of the thing and the measurement.
  10. Data is a product of the relationship required to generate it.
  11. Data is separate from the relationship required to develop it.
  12. Every bit of data emerges with its own data. This includes spatial orientation and some attributes of its ‘parents’

The Value of Data

  1. The value of data depends on its audience.
  2. Data depreciates. Usually rapidly.
  3. Data never completely depreciates. (But its value can get pretty theoretical)
  4. The value of data is not inherently related to the thing that was measured (though it may be).
  5. Data is the fundamental building block of information, knowledge, insight and wisdom
  6. Data increases in value when combined with other data. This is usually more than additive.
  7. Each added bit of data is more valuable than the last. Until it isn’t.
  8. Old data can have its value renewed through association with other data.
  9. One piece of data is a characteristic. Two pieces of data may become insight.
  10. The value of a piece of data increases when it is a part of a pattern.
  11. The value of data is a function of the combination of specificity and relevance.
  12. The value of a bit of data my be entirely a function of its metadata.
  13. Metadata has value independent of its underlying data
  14. The value of some data is increased by hiding it or making it inaccessible.

On Value

  1. There is no property, there is only data.
  2. All you legally own is a description of what you own
  3. Everything that happens can be understood as the manipulation of data.
  4. Ownership and money are indistinguishable.
  5. Ownership is a legal fiction described with data. It is so useful that it seems like a fact.
  6. Ownership is a fiction designed to preserve value.
  7. Value can not be owned.
  8. Value is an agreement.

Here’s the rest of the series on data ownership

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