Peter Morville, a pioneer in information architecture and co-author of the seminal 'Information Architecture for the World Wide Web,' engages in a transformative conversation. He shares insights on navigating life changes, including a career shift to managing an animal sanctuary. The dialogue explores the evolution of the podcast, reflecting on personal motivations and the delicate balance between artistic integrity and audience expectations. They also discuss intuition's role in decision-making during life's transitions, highlighting the impact of AI on their field.
The host announces the end of the podcast after five successful years to pursue new projects, reflecting on the enriching journey.
A new podcast aimed at organizational leaders will explore strategic discussions on information architecture and the impact of artificial intelligence.
Deep dives
Contemplating Change
The host reflects on a significant change, announcing the decision to end the podcast after a successful five-year run with 154 episodes. This decision stems from a lack of joy in producing new content and a desire to leave the show on a high note rather than out of frustration. The host expresses gratitude for the enriching experiences and conversations that have defined the podcast's journey. Despite the melancholy associated with closing this chapter, the hope is to facilitate exploration of new avenues that may arise from this transition.
The Origin of the Podcast
The podcast began as a research tool for a book focused on personal information architecture, created out of the host's passion for the podcasting medium and its potential for learning. The host initially aimed to gather insights from diverse individuals on how they organize their personal information, marking a shift from professional discussions of information architecture. As the show evolved, it broadened its themes to include various adjacent topics while still maintaining its core focus on the organization of information. Ultimately, the host acknowledges that the podcast achieved its original purpose and feels ready to pivot towards new projects.
Future Endeavors
Looking ahead, the host is excited about the prospect of a new podcast aimed at organizational leaders, focusing on strategic conversations around information architecture. This upcoming project will emphasize the application of information architecture principles in decision-making contexts rather than catering solely to practitioners in the field. Furthermore, the host plans to explore the implications of artificial intelligence on the future of information architecture and its effectiveness in organizational settings. By shifting the focus, the host hopes to deliver valuable insights that resonate with a broader audience while continuing to leverage their accumulated experiences.
Peter Morville is a pioneer of information architecture. He co-authored Information Architecture for the World-Wide Web, the classic O’Reilly “polar bear” book on the subject. In our previous conversation, I interviewed Peter about a big change in his life. In this interview, we turn the tables: he interviews me about a big change to this show.