Indigenous Knowledge in a Knowledge Society

Indigenous knowledge is hot spot of controversy in reincarnations of development theory under the auspices of a knowledge society. One of the biggest concerns is how the codification, digitization, and preservation of knowledge society is affected when the technology required is one developed by outside forces and two dependent upon funding from outside forces. The innovation and distribution of Information Communication Technologies can be partially understood according to the same environmental factors as described by Jared Diamond in his 1997 Pulitzer Prize winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel. Accordingly Eurasian culture has dominated not because of intellectual or genetic superiority but rather because of geographic features that have allowed the advancement of society. This includes the domestication of plant and animals species that contributed to the rise of farming and the ability to support a large population. In turn leading to the development of a complex society in which scientist, artists, and mercantilist could progress thanks to the support of agriculturalists. Since people could rely on others for their sustenance they had time to pursue other activities. Now information is ubiquitous but requires acquisition skills to make sense. In part this has led to the reliance upon experts to provide a context for information, removing the majority away from authenticate comprehension of information. Opposingly many indigenous cultures have not had the luxury to develop skill-replacing technologies and therefore are disadvantaged in the knowledge economy. Others would argue the tacit and uncodified knowledge of Idigenous cultures will prove more valuable should a global crisis of technology occur. Should we ever be in a true crisis of energy our diluted instincts relying upon Youtube-style-codification of knowledge to complete tasks required of survival, will put us at risk. Meanwhile Indigenous knowledge of which plants are poisonous will become the competitive advantage.