3 Reasons To Fall Back In Love With Big Data

There are people who hate Big Data. They may hate it because its massive volume overwhelms them and figuring out how to analyze it, or they just haven’t cracked the code or acquired the resources to draw meaningful insights from the collected data. Or let’s be real, maybe the haters just find the collection of data flat out intrusive (think Samsung recording conversations via their “smart” TVs). No matter the reason, these haters aren’t sharing the love for data this Valentine’s Day.

But, there are a few things to love about Big Data and there could be a way to bring those haters back around and cause a rekindling of love…or at least a little shot of reality that will prompt them to hate it just a little less.

With love in the air this weekend and Cupid’s love arrow taking flight, a shot from his arrow loaded with these three examples of how data is changing the world around us may do the trick:

1. Data that keeps us safe. No one can resist the lure of data that focuses on safety and security. Consider smart home products and home automation systems. These systems use data, collected from our homes to ensure everything is running smoothly by monitoring CO2 levels, water leaks, and detecting break-ins. The data is wirelessly transmitted directly to our mobile devices in real-time for 24/7 personal monitoring so we always have peace of mind and know that our homes are being watched, even when we aren’t there.

2. Data that makes watching the game better. Fantasy Football has a hardcore following and come the fall, over 41 million people will get involved in the game. When recruiting a fantasy team, it isn’t just about how the player played last year, but how that player’s individual stats will jive with other players. By running an analysis and using predictive analytics, teams can be strategically chosen based on the “moneyball” concept and how the total actions of a team can determine the outcome – not just one superstar performance. There are sites and apps that will help with data analysis and ultimately help players chose the winning combinations.

3. Data to improve ourselves. Wearable technology adoption has extended beyond hardcore athletes and weekend warriors. With approximately 70 million units in the global fitness wearable market sold in 2014, it seems like everyone from working professionals who want to track their daily steps to grandparents looking to track their sleep habits are doting these fashionable devices. Wearables and the collection of our personal quantifiable data lets us visualize how our bodies are functioning and can prompt us to make changes in how we manage them, which can result in better health and longer lives.

Considering the amount of data out there and our ability to access it to live safer, have some fun, and operate more efficiently, you just have to love data…at least a little bit.