Data Quote by Tim Berners-Lee
“Data is a precious thing and will last longer than the systems themselves.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Founding Talk, 1994
Data outlives the platforms that store it, making preservation essential beyond technology cycles.
In simple terms: Data lasts longer than its storage.
Key Takeaway
Preserve data independently of systems.
Themes
technology
preservation
legacy
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- research archives
- personal backups
- government records
- historical documents
Key Concepts
digital longevity
information theory
archival science
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we future‑proof data storage?
- What responsibilities do creators have to ensure data longevity?
A Different Perspective
Data can become obsolete if formats change faster than preservation efforts.
![“[Brazil] went to the UN and said, "We need new standards for this." We need to take a look at what they're calling "data sovereignty."” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/af7/edward-snowden-555_brazil_brazil-went-to-the-un-and-said-we-need-n_14906.jpg)
