Information is data-in-formtion and can be transmitted and processed. Knowledge, however, is still a uniquely human activity of working-up understanding, ‘getting the message’, meaning-making. As such it requires social interaction in order to understand the codes, references and context of the information presented in any communication. ‘Smart’ involves being able to work with knowledge and information together by selecting information and applying it in a context as knowledge and in relation to other knowledge, such as experience, ‘know-how’, ‘knowledge-of’, ‘knowledge-why’ and ‘knowing who’. In addition, it involves trust, faith and affects such as determination, passion and pleasure.
The SMART city reduces these to the tech equivalent of the thermostat in your house and some wifi. Comment if you have an example that disproves this.
-Rob Shields, University of Alberta