Why Data Is More Like Water Than Oil
Why Data Is More Like Water Than Oil Note: This is an update to a blog I wrote years ago as I wanted to reflect more positively on "water as data" and less negatively on "oil as data" to find a better balance in tone for all readers. I hope you enjoy it! For years, the phrase “data is the new oil” has dominated conversations about the digital economy. It’s catchy, and it conveys the idea that data is valuable. But is oil really the best metaphor for data? Perhaps not—especially when we consider the qualities that make data transformative and the cultural contexts in which we operate. Rather than comparing data to oil, a finite resource extracted and consumed, we should think of data as water: life-giving, renewable, and essential for growth. This analogy not only better reflects the nature of data but also resonates deeply with the heritage and values of the Middle East. Why Move Beyond the Oil Analogy? Oil has powered economies and innovation for decades, and it...