Machine Learning Street Talk (MLST)

The 3 Laws of Knowledge [César Hidalgo]

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Dec 27, 2025
Guest
César Hidalgo
In this engaging discussion, César Hidalgo, Director of the Center for Collective Learning, explores the intricate nature of knowledge. He argues that knowledge is not just information that can be copied, but a dynamic entity that thrives in collaborative environments. César explains the three laws of knowledge, highlights the challenges of transferring expertise, and illustrates how organizations learn collectively. He also shares fascinating stories, like the fall of Polaroid, to showcase the fragility of knowledge in the face of neglect.
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INSIGHT

Knowledge Obeys Law-Like Principles

  • Knowledge follows law-like patterns that govern its growth, diffusion, and value.
  • Policy should respect these laws or development efforts will fail despite large investments.
INSIGHT

Knowledge Is Non-Rival And Non-Fungible

  • Knowledge is non-rival but also highly non-fungible and specific across categories.
  • Treating knowledge as undifferentiated stock (a barrel) misses essential structure for growth models.
ADVICE

Design For Architectural Change

  • Recognize when innovations require architectural reconfiguration rather than component swaps.
  • Design organizations to match the architecture of the business model you intend to scale.
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