We often think about, notice, and point out what is there. What is there. This makes sense of course as what is present is what we see. Look around you now, what do you see? A table? Chairs? Coffee? A dog? Flowers? Food? People? The list could be long.

But often, and equally important, is what is not present. Perhaps you are sitting in coffee shop and there are no tables for more than 2 people, perhaps there are no groups of people. Or perhaps there are pictures on the wall, but no people in them. Or no people that look like you. Again the list could be long.

The same is true when we look at data and digital tools. We often see what is presented to us, but forget to ask what is not here? Who’s voices are not included? Where is the data not from?

What is not here can provide insight that has been present all a long, we just haven’t been looking.

Photo by Chase Clark