The rise of dataism

Scientia potentia est – knowledge is power, or so the common saying goes. A more modern variant of the phrase may be â€Å"data is power†. Its dataism and its control thats currently the cause of much debate within society and government. With the rise and dominance of social media, the data of individuals across the planet is readily accessible. Want to know what someone wears? The music they listen to? The places they live and work? Where do they eat? Where they’ve been on holiday, and much more? The chances are, youll find most of this out just by taking a quick look at their Facebook profile or Instagram account. And any app on their phone will be capturing this information too. For some, this represents a serious problem with regard to personal data and privacy. To others, however, it represents the beginning of a brighter and more liberated future. And they call this phenomenon dataism. What is dataism? The term â€Å"dataism† first appeared in 2013, when David Brooks wrote an article in the New York Times called â€Å"The Philosophy of Data.† The article itself was an examination of how data was coming to be used over the decade, and how its used to help validate (or invalidate) deeply held assumptions about the world we live in. The term was later picked up by historian Yuval Noah Harari in his 2016 book Homo Deus. Here he took Brooks’ more clinical and scientific imagining of the word â€Å"dataism† and reimagined it in a more religious and existential light. Homo Deus claims that dataism looks at the universe as a system of data streams, and that the value of objects – and people – is determined by their capacity to process data. Once, humans were the most prestigious data crunchers, but now new machines and algorithms are taking our place. To dataists, data and especially big data reign supreme in the cosmos. To paraphrase a popular sci-fi quote, the data must flow. According to Harari, we will soon be in a position where big data algorithms will know people better than they know themselves. A website such as Amazon will track data relating to your purchasing habits – the sorts of things you buy, search, wish list, or even talk about with friends online – and use these to curate your recommended list to you with almost perfect precision. He ends with this rather piercing question: â€Å"What will happen to society, politics, and daily life when non-conscious but highly intelligent algorithms know us better than we know ourselves?† How is dataism relevant? The control and harnessing of information is an important part of many institutions and activities. We’ve already touched upon how big data personalizes people’s shopping experiences online. It also informs the advertisements you’re likely to see. This can range from simply using your IP address to ensuring that you receive adverts from local businesses to more sophisticated measures that track the sorts of things you search for online and offering related products. If you ever find yourself on a Google binge relating to Japan, for example, you can expect to see small banner ads offering cheap Japanese vacations appearing in your browser. Concerns around dataism More seriously, big data is used in political circles. During the 2016 EU Referendum in the UK, controversy arose when Canada-based analytics firm Cambridge Analyctia used the personal data of up to 87million Facebook profiles to launch targeted ads. While to what degree is still being debated, it’s believed by some political commentators that such targeted campaigning helped contribute to a narrow victory for the Leave campaign. Concerns about personal data and its use led the EU to draft and pass its General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). This means companies operating within its jurisdiction must be transparent about how data is collected, used, and distributed. Further, it requires the individual’s consent before use. Or risk a significant $1.6bn fine. This is why we now get constant notices about cookies whenever we land on a website. Virtues of dataism It’s not all gloom and doom, however. The use and tracking of data can be effective in other ways, as well. It’s the use of big data that allows Google Maps to successfully navigate you through congested traffic, for example. And sometimes Google has been able to predict illness outbreaks long before professional medical bodies, simply by noting spikes in how many people have been searching online for its symptoms. Dataists go further, and say that by liberating all our personal data we can assist humanity in other ways. For example, if all our medical statistics were free to search for online, people looking to trial drugs and treatments would need only search â€Å"People with X condition† to find appropriate data. This could speed up research for cures immensely. The more data you have access to, the easier it is to spot patterns and gain insight. Suppose anyone with a penchant for science, innovation, and research had quick and easy access to the world’s data. How empowered would they be? Business vs consumer challenges The big challenge that businesses will face with dataism is the fear of loss of personal privacy. This is the first time in social history that so much personal and private data is in any way accessible to people we don’t know, and the thought can be rather scary. The fears that this data could also be used to exploit and manipulate people, whether by selling them products they do not need or a politician seeking office, are not at all unfounded. Another question that arises is who exactly owns this data? The person to whom it relates, or the companies that collect it? Could Facebook one day, for example, start charging you cash for the freedom to access your own data? Depending on where the laws on data ownership fall, it’s not impossible. Or do we follow the path of dataism, and let this data fly free for anyone and everyone to see and use as they see fit? There are real advantages to open use of data, after all. Businesses can use it to inform their products and adverts more to the tastes of the individual consumer. Easy access to medical information could potentially save lives. Research and innovation becomes immensely easier. Predicting the future of big data Ultimately, it comes down to a question of trust. People are already much more trusting with their data than they used to be. 20 years ago, the notion that you’d announce to the world what restaurant you’re eating at, what activity you’re currently engaged in, or what holiday destination you’ve just arrived at would be unheard of. But in todays age of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, the public documentation of our lives has become the norm. But do the cynics have reason to be mistrustful? Who knows what will happen to our data in future or how it might be used? Whether data is a trapped bird that needs to be set free, or a dangerous beast better kept under a strong lock, only time will tell. Get a grip on big data with a business degree from Hult. See our programs. Christian Mills Christian is a freelance writer from England - and a proud member of the NHS - who writes a lot in his spare time. He also likes to doodle as well as play video and tabletop roleplaying games. 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We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .