Data fatigue gets the measles

Some sanity on data excess from the always interesting Seth Godin: Too much data leads to not enough belief.

Business plans with too much detail, books with too much proof, politicians with too much granularity… it seems as though more data is a good thing, because data proves the case

He’s not dissing data but rather the over reliance on data to prove the case:

“Relying too much on proof distracts you from the real mission–which is emotional connection.”

Take the measles vaccination debate for example.  And all that rational thought makes no impact on the true believer.  A good story might. Or an appeal to empathy and fellow-feeling and concern for others. Backed by good science and the facts of course.

JosieHolford

View Comments

Share
Published by
JosieHolford
Tags: 2010data

Recent Posts

A Bonfire in the Dark

When I was in the emergency room last year having busted my elbow, a nurse…

5 hours ago

Locked Out

Most of us have done it at some point or another - accidentally locked ourselves…

3 days ago

The #1970 Club: Germaine Greer and The Female Eunuch

Thanks to the #1970 Club, I've spent the spare moments of the past week immersed…

2 weeks ago

The Forgetful Mog

Thanks to the #1970 Club,  I have a new mog in my life and a…

3 weeks ago

The #1970 Club: Language and Learning

The #1970 Club is starting tomorrow (October 14th) and I'm prepared with some reading and…

3 weeks ago

How do they live with themselves?

How Do They Live with Themselves? This was the question Roger Rosenblatt asked in The…

4 weeks ago