# Personal Information Silos ## Introduction Whether we know it or not, we all store information in a gazillion places. On our computers, laptops, phones, tablets, and "in the cloud". Each of those information stores is filled with knowledge. But that knowledge is scattered, isolated, disconnected, thus underused and much less valuable. We often do this without even blinking. Why? Either because we don't realize what we're doing (which is true for most non-technical folks), or because we don't think thoroughly about the impact, risks and consequences of doing so. Isn't there a better way? What if we could break the walls of those silos, and connect the knowledge they hold? ## What are those? Personal Information Silos are like isolated islands of information. Each one stands on its own, disconnected from the rest. Those silos are the result of conscious or unconscious *habits* and *choices*. Each app and platform you use is potentially storing a slice of your data in a silo. Sometimes you have choice, but often, you just don't. And if you're not aware of the associated problems, you might not care at all... In addition to the systems and apps you use, each device stores data in various locations. Your systems (or lack thereof!) and consistency also have a big influence on your personal "information landscape". Beyond digital information silos, don't forget that you also have analog ones. Paper notebooks, agendas, calendars, paper documents, etc. Those are information silos as well! In an ideal world, all of our data should be stored in a single location, and it should remain manageable as well as fully under our control. Unfortunately, this is almost impossible today. As we'll see, though, there is a ton of value in trying to get closer to that. At the end of the day, I believe that awareness and understanding about the consequences are the first step towards better managing your data, information and knowledge. And since most people don't know the first thing about Knowledge Management, they don't even know that they're missing out. Luckily, I'm here to help! ## Examples of Personal Information Silos - Paper notes - Social media posts - Bookmarks - Saved videos - Social post bookmarks - Documents, presentations, spreadsheets, etc - Book highlights - Emails - Calendars - Task lists - Projects - Plans - Schemas - ... What's common among all of those is that the nodes (i.e., the pieces) are stored in different systems, but the associations, history and context (the edges) are in our heads ## Related - [[The key problems with Personal Information Silos]]