Data Is Alive — Let Me Count the Ways

  • Data is Alive and Powerful
Data Is Alive. You won’t believe how much you can learn from a few data points

What does it mean when we say “Data Is Alive?”

It means many things. Data is born from the lives of real people. Check out the dozens of factoids and statistics in the infographic below and you’ll see I’m right.

Data is always changing, it must always be updated to be relevant to today, and tomorrow. (Example from the infographic: if I know how long it takes to get to my office in Cupertino on horseback, I might be better served by some newer data.)

And perhaps most importantly, data affects real people’s lives. When looked at, pondered, analyzed and understood, it can change lives. It can offer meaning to events we otherwise couldn’t comprehend. It can point the way to better solutions, and bring real growth and opportunity to each of us, or to whole populations. Data Is Alive.

How can we better grasp the importance of the data all around us?

I often look at various ways “Data Is Alive” — data that may illuminate mysteries or answer questions, data that implies or proves causation or suggests results or actions that ought to be taken.

Today I’m just pondering data — the dozens of data points below — in all its minutiae, its ability to tickle us, to make us wonder, to cast doubt, to prove a point, to win a bet with your buddies.

While the listed facts are analyzed only to sound-bite level, and may be only marginally related to each other, these bits clearly relate to and result from the goings-on of Earth’s many human lives. Right away you’ll see good reminders of what we all seek in life, how to live more healthfully, the importance of our closest friends, family and even our pets to our happiness. You’ll also see info that needs deeper consideration to reveal its usefulness.

Is data powerful?

For example, check the “Powerful” section at bottom — have you ever compared the relative power of various historical political empires? Are you surprised to learn the First Persian Empire comprised the greatest percentage of the human population of any historical empire, ruling over 44.5% of the world’s population, higher than the British Empire at its peak?

Is this information relevant to you today? I suppose that depends in what context you consider it. While neither the British nor the First Persian empires lord over the world now, surely there are useful (urgently necessary?) things we can learn from their transitory existences.

Is data reformative?

Take a look at the sobering statistics in the “Reformative” section. In the U.S., 141 trillion calories worth of food is wasted every single day. Is this data “alive?” What could those calories help achieve, if there were a way to redirect them? And what do you make of the differences in poverty between the various demographics mentioned — does the data beg further study to understand causes? Solutions?

Is data hopeful?

How about the “Hopeful” facts about increasing happiness in the world, and the impact happiness has on the length and productivity of a person’s life? How will that information change your own behavior today?

Enjoy the rest of the data below. Is this data alive, for you? After you read the infographic (thanks to Experian!) … which facts most surprised or affected your life?

Data is Alive - Data Isn't Boring infographic

2017-04-17T11:27:14+00:00

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