IAC22
Why would two taxonomists interrogate the limitations of hierarchical thinking and information organization? Graphs offer more specific and flexible structures to model relationships between objects. This basic change of frame reflects more accurately the way humans understand information, provides flexible and extensible modeling options, and usurps existing (tree-based, or arboreal) power and information structures in favor of a decentralized, democratized information environment with no beginning and no end.
Bob Kasenchak is an information architect at Factor with specialization in taxonomies and ontologies. Bob is interested in graphs and semantics and is a frequent speaker on theoretical and practical topics. He lives in Albuquerque with his wife and two cats.
Ahren E. Lehnert is an information and knowledge management professional with over twenty years’ experience in taxonomy, text analytics, search, and content and records management. He has developed enterprise taxonomies and knowledge development and retrieval strategies as a consultant and full-time employee in a broad range of industries. Ahren is Principal Taxonomist at NIKE, Inc., the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment.