The paradox of our age

Purpose – This editorial briefly aims to consider the implications of the words of the poem The Paradox of our Age attributed to HH The 14th Dalai Lama and a former pastor in the USA for information and records managers. Design/methodology/approach – The article is a viewpoint based on a personal reflection of the powerful image and clear message conveyed in the words of this poem about what people have and do, what they have lost and do not do. Findings – For those in education the words “we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgement” question whether academics and teachers, developing and discovering new knowledge are sharing it but not enabling and encouraging others to make best use of it to make appropriate judgements. For those working in information sciences the words “we build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication” echo the information overload syndrome but question if, with all the present technology, people – academics and teachers – communicate appropriately? Originality/value – The editorial highlights the “paradox of our [information] age” captured in the 117 words of a poem from religious figures. Its value is in making academics and teachers stop and think, reflect on how well they are succeeding as information managers, records managers and archivists, in capturing, organizing, preserving or destroying the increasing quantities of information and copies in digital form. Are they supporting the appropriate communication and use of information to make decisions or judgements?