If I start from identity - where do I end up ?

In the old joke, a man goes up to an old-timer and asks how to get to the local hotel. The old man thinks for a minute and then says "It's quite simple really, but I wouldn't start from here!"

Taking this thinking….  if I start from Identity where do I end up and is that where I wanted to be or should I have started from somewhere else.  The reason for this is that recently I have spent far too much time on Identity and not enough on Digital Footprint.

Starting with Identity I end up with access over value and ability to facilitate over participate.  Whilst both points are critical one is about control and the other controlling.

Starting with Digital Footprints I end up with data that can give me identity if I want it, but I can get social, intent, value, insight, wisdom etc etc

Why do we continue to start from Identity?