[Web4lib] The data death spiral

[Thomas Edelblute]

 That is so true.  To many people make their arguments on pure emotion. 


Thomas Edelblute
Anaheim Public Library

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of
dan at riverofdata.com
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 7:10 AM
To: e.roel at usa.net
Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] The data death spiral

My problem isn't so much with decisions being made with a note card full
of data, or a blank card of data.  My problem is with data that is
carefully hand selected to "prove the point" that the decision maker
wishes to make.  Pick a topic, and that's how a great many people do it.
Just think of the arguments on either side (and NO, I'm NOT trying to
discuss any of these, here or privately) of global warming, alternative
fuel vehicles, whether the current price of gas is letting the oil
companies make excessive profits, or dozens of other "hot topics".
Sure, those haven't had "the decision" made, and they're just examples.
I'm sure we've seen similar decisions made that are just as important
within our work environments on carefully selected data, rather than all
the data.

dan

----- Original Message -----
> Not only do I feel like I am living in that spiral, I have come to the

> conclusion that all decisions are made, quite contrarily, _without
data_.
> And, when data is utilized, it is with some simplistic use of it, that

> lacks any real understanding of synergistic interactions or emergent 
> properties, from chemistry to social psychology to economics to 
> management.  Everyone is making decisions based on what can fit onto a
notecard.
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