Presentation: Why We Crave Semantic, Structured Content

The cutting edge of modern science and thousands of years of communication history lead us to the same conclusion: we are pattern-based, model-building beings. This can seem either obvious or foreign to you, depending on your background, but rarely when we’re talking about structuring information do we properly reconnect with the bigger picture outside the world of words and pictures. Structured content isn’t about XML, DITA or publishing, it’s about imbuing content with some universal and deeply human qualities. With those qualities come a myriad of follow-on benefits to reader, writer and brand. With just the right amount of structure we’re more engaged, more open-minded, and simply happier. This is true for content, but to prove it generally, we’re going to first look at art, music, technology, communication and memory. Doing so we’ll see how taking a wider view will help us structure content better, better bridge the silos in our organisations, and delight our customers throughout their journeys.