Adam Polansky

Joining the testimonials.

Even though I contacted Lou directly, I still wanted to add some words of my own to the list of IAs who continue to benefit from the work of Lou, Peter, Samantha and the rest of the Argonauts.

The first time I heard the term "Information Architect", I shrugged it off as another attempt at self-importance by people who loved making up titles. It wasn't until much later that I ran across the "Polar Bear book" and said to myself "Wait a minute, someone outside the four walls of this office actually uses this title and others know what it means!" It was not long before my firm was acquired by Rare Medium and much activity was taking place around defining individuals, used to doing "whatever", to specific roles. I had the luxury of choosing my path from several and by that time IA was an albeit new, but defined role (we had one in the entire company). I chose it and can honestly say I've found a home. There is no better distillation of all my experience than this!

Since then, I have taken part in both Summits (speaking at the last one), attended the ACIA conference in La Jolla, represented the discipline alongside Lou and others to ASIS&T at the annual meeting in Chicago, helped launch the list serve, come in contact with some of the brightest original thinkers and doers it's ever been my privilege to know and I've even been asked for an opinion or two by others to help them in their work.

NONE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES WOULD HAVE COME TO PASS WITHOUT THE BASELINE EFFORTS OF LOU, PETER AND THE REST OF THE ARGONAUTS!

These activities have enhanced the position of IA for me personally in my own work environment and externally within what has become a viable community. Lou once laughed and called me an optimist when he asked me If I thought there would always be a need for IAs and I sermonized about their inevitable and undisputable place in the food chain. Market-be-damned! The need for IAs is an inextricable part of the fabric of what companies want to do with the Internet or any other form of communication that uses the Internet's technology. The need won't go away and neither will IAs!

By working to make IA something bigger than the definition applied by any one firm, there is a safety-net out there comprised of an industry-specialized, but within that industry, a general understanding of what an IA is, why they are important and how their impact is likely to manifest itself over time. I don't worry about the long term security of the Argonauts because of the groundwork that they've established. The discipline is bigger than the firm and Argus is, in large part, responsible for that. I am confident that those efforts will act as insurance for them as they reposition themselves in this world that they've helped create for all of us.

I can envision Lou rolling his eyes at the idea of being called a demi-god. You're not a god Lou but you're a tireless champion of an idea whose time has come. We all benefit from what you and the Argonauts have done and I know you will benefit too.

My best to all of you and I'm sure we'll meet again.

Adam Polansky : : Senior Information Architect

Rare Medium : : Dallas TX