This document discusses big data and the new information ecosystem. It notes that the PRISM program collected 97 billion pieces of intelligence in March 2013 alone. As facial recognition, network analysis, and voice analysis tools improve, data analytics are becoming easier. The document also discusses how data is being collected through various means like location tracking, wearable devices, and the growing "Internet of Things." However, it raises issues about privacy, data ownership, reliability of conclusions from data, and the values and politics underlying the collection and use of personal data.

1. Seeing the Forest and the Trees –Big Data
and the New Information Ecosystem

2. PRISM Program Collected 97 billion
pieces of intelligence in March*
• Facial Recognition, Network Analysis, Voice
Analysis Make Data Analytics Easier
• *per The Guardian, June 11th, 2013

3. DATA….
• ….SEXY??

4. Big Data Tells Walmart:
• When there’s a hurricane coming, people buy
Pop Tarts!
• Walmart moves Pop Tarts to the front of the
store*
• *see Big Data, by Viktor Mayer Schonberger &
Kenneth Cukier

5. Closet Quant?

6. This-Is-That-Thing-I-Wore-er?

7. Pinterest Freak?

8. Tools to Map Physical Body

9. Tools to Document Reactions to the World

10. Location Boom

11. Digital Means Constant Capture
Next gen digital tools such as Google Glass, smart watches, and other
wearables

12. Data Maps
http://www.zeit.de/datenschutz/malte-spitz-data-
retention

13. Internet of Things
• Sensors
• Smart Objects
• 50 Billion wirelessly connected machines by
2020 (Ericsson)
• New tools (Arduino, Twine) let non-technical
people create internet enabled, smart objects

14. • Private to Shared
• Contextual to De- and Re-Contextualized
Analog to Digital

15. Revolutionary Nature of Cell
Phones
• According to the World Bank*, 75% of World’s
population has access to a cell phone
• More than 30 billion apps downloaded in
2011
• By far, the majority of cell phones are in the
Developing World
*http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/2012/07/17/mobile-phone-access-reaches-
three-quarters-planets-population

16. Real Time Rome
MIT SENSEable City Lab:
http://senseable.mit.edu/realtimerome/

17. People Can Choose to Participate

18. The Balancing Act
• Privacy and Data Ownership
• Opportunities for Creative, Powerful Use of
Data

19. This. Can. Be. Creepy.
http://www.gigapixel.com/image/gigatag-canucks-
g7.html

20. High Resolution

21. Fully Mapped

22. Tracking and Tagging Yourself and Others

23. Anonymity Used to Mean Privacy. Not
Anymore

24. RELIABILITY
• “Good Enough” Data (Piers Fawkes)
• Danger of False Conclusions

25. VALUES UNDERPINNING DESIGN
DECISIONS
@tweeting_keith http://twitpic.com/97vogu

26. WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?
• Making Participation Valuable
• Who is Trustworthy as a Data Resource?
• Who is Transparent?

27. Partners in Using our Data

28. Data Activism: New Approach to a
New Ecosystem
• What are the values embedded in design?
• Tools for data citizenship and engagement
• What are the hidden politics of the
technology?
• If data is the new oil (World Economic Forum),
what does a ‘data economy’ look like?
• Do we need a “New Deal on Data” (Sandy
Pentland)?

29. Contact
• norayoungster@gmail.com
• Twitter @nora3000
• norayoung.ca
• My book on data: The Virtual Self