Using DATA to make decisions is not as useful as people think, amirite?

Data collected across multiple points is always more reliable than a singular experience. This does not mean that data is always fully correct but you always have a better chance wagering with statistics.

by Sorry-Text 2 days ago

I agree that people shouldn't just blindly trust data. However, "intuition" can commonly come with a side of bias that most people are ill-equipped to handle.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Your example is ironically enough, a point in favor of data. Your example is what happens when you don't have sufficient data. The reason why google, meta, and microsoft are mega corporations is because they have the largest buckets of data in the world and blackberry had close to nothing comparatively speaking. You could only get so much data from their old fashion phone. Google can get your entire email history, search history, youtube, searches, map location. Facebook can get your name, your personal interests, your friends you're closely connected with. Microsoft can get anything you use on your O.S. And what all of them have in common is their whole business literally revolves around data. The services they provide don't do anything for their revenue, it's the data they mine from you for using those services that do.

by iohara 2 days ago

Your example proves my point, you say Microsoft had lots of data unlike Blackberry and they ALSO failed to react properly/in time against the iPhone

by Anonymous 2 days ago

how? your point is using data to make decisions is not as useful as people think. The most profitable businesses in the world revolve around data. You might point out a single failure, but everybody else in the world of business knows that in the long run, it's safer to trust data than to not.

by iohara 2 days ago

Right? No system is perfect but having as much information available to make an informed decision is much better.

by salmadamore 2 days ago

Ok granted Microsoft is super powerful but for the sake or argument let me keep it in the realm of the smartphone revolution, Lets put it this way, ms had data and even their ceo laughed at the idea and said people would never buy a 650 phone (I imagine he got this from data) but on the other side we have Google, who probably had similar data, saw the iPhone presentation and went "screw the data, buy that Android company and get to work on making our own version of that Right now now now"

by Anonymous 1 day ago

cite that please?

by iohara 1 day ago

Data is required for a reality-based decision. However, yes, the process of collecting and using the data must be logical and scientific or else it is pointless (or, worse, deceptive). So...I think I disagree with the statement, and - further - I suppose it's unpopular (as opposed to 'wrong' given the 'as people think').

by Baileyaron 1 day ago

Data can be read incorrectly but it can also be re-read correctly. Your vibe and feelings cant be examined and there is no reason for me to trust something I can't review.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Your only points about data collection not being useful is when people interpret it incorrectly, or still make the wrong decision despite have all available data. Cars are not very useful either if you don't put tires on them or ram them into a wall trying to get out of your driveway.

by salmadamore 1 day ago

Decisions made purely based on data are foolish. Decisions made without any data behind them at all are even more foolish.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I agree. Decisions driven purely by data can and often are flawed. Data points display what was captured, but it doesn't account for what wasn't captured. This isn't to say you shouldn't use data, but you shouldn't blindly ignore your intuition either.

by Academic_Patient_458 1 day ago

Nothing unpopular about ignorance

by Anonymous 1 day ago

A current day example I think it's the Console War, im sure Xbox is following a ton of data points to direct the company while Nintendo is doing more of a "this is what we feel is correct" approach, I'm speculating of course

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Not using data to make decisions is even worse. That doesn't mean you blindly follow random data though.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

People asking for data want to verify the veracity of the reasoning behind a decision. That includes verifying the data. Jesus christ. Why don't we just scrap all of science and go with "well I reckon..."?

by elinorewaelchi 1 day ago

Data isn't useful, data analysis is useful

by FilmInner 1 day ago

I remember an example i saw on tv once by a guy who did polls about how you word a question If you ask people "Do you think we should give free healthcare to illegal migrants?" most people will say NO but if you ask "If a kid comes to the hospital in critical condition, do you think we should give him medical help? Even if he doesn't have papers?" Most people will say YES Then the headline says "people overwhelmingly support giving healthcare to migrants without papers" and show the results of the second poll as data to back it up

by Anonymous 1 day ago

There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.

by Specialist_Tiger4412 1 day ago

Data only says what the person who in put said data wants it to say.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Thats assuming the data was collected with a bias, which can not be said for all forms of data collection.

by Sorry-Text 1 day ago

That's only true if the data is collected or interpreted poorly. Well designed studies and transparent methods can minimize bias, and in those cases, data is still one of the most reliable ways to make decisions. The problem isn't "using data" it's using bad data or misreading it

by Sorry-Text 1 day ago

Or AI systems pick up training data that's actually racist, so the proper real life data IS RACIST, but when the Ai engineer notices he removes it, proving that people just alter their data to show the conclusion they want, which is one of the reasons I dont find AI thaaaaat useful

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I am a data analyst/ data engineer and a published scholar in the data space. Data is overrated at best, snake oil at worst, and tea leaf divination in the middle. I agree with your take. That's not to say it's totally useless. I think it's completely worthwhile to keep, prune, and the explore an event log for many things.

by Korymitchell 1 day ago