On Data And It's Importance In Our Lives
Hi all,
I just wanted to make a post about some the basics of understanding why data and the information economy, and computer science in general, are so central to our daily lives. It's a bit of a long post, but I really hope that you'll find it worthwhile.
Something to know: there's currently so much data being collected daily that most of it will never actually be seen by people. A computer might use it, but the chances of an individual person actually looking for and seeing this data are extremely small. Want to understand how much data there really is? Consider these facts:
New technologies, as I'm sure you know, have an incredible potential to help people. An outstanding case of this is the story of Tanya Rider. Lost for 8 days following a car accident in which she was trapped in the car, the only reason she was found was because of information technology. Our phones regularly send out little clusters of bits; a "I'm here" message. Normally it's used by cell phone companies to determine which is the correct cell phone tower nearest you to send your incoming calls to. But for Tanya, the "I'm here" messages from her phone everyday from the same spot, for 8 days, helped them know where she was. Once the data was noticed. By the time Tanya was rescued she'd already experienced extreme dehydration, kidney failure, and multiple injuries, and likely only made it because of the amount of data being produced all the time and the important information it can tell us, when we choose to look at it. But also in this story are the underlying, darker implications; data also made Tanya Rider's rescue take longer, ironically. Through a misunderstanding, the police didn't know that Tanya's husband had access to her bank account, so when her account showed activity actually from her husband, they thought it was her. Only after the police suspected Tanya's husband of being responsible for her disappearance were they able to access her phone records and find the key piece of evidence necessary to find her. Paradoxically, data saved Tanya Rider while also almost killing her.
Full story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/us/29missing.html
Algorithms(the functions computers use to complete their tasks) have transformed our world. They make Google give you relevant results, your online bank account information safe, and let you buy things online, saving you time and effort. Here's more about just how important algorithms are, as stated by a real expert: https://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_slavin_how_algorithms_shape_our_world
Ummmm Skynet much? How an artificial intelligence is currently controlling an entire city in China: http://www.iflscience.com/technology/smart-city-china-controlled-artificial-intelligence/?utm_source=Editorial&utm_medium=Static&utm_campaign=RA
And lastly, some videos you might find entertaining.
I just wanted to make a post about some the basics of understanding why data and the information economy, and computer science in general, are so central to our daily lives. It's a bit of a long post, but I really hope that you'll find it worthwhile.
Something to know: there's currently so much data being collected daily that most of it will never actually be seen by people. A computer might use it, but the chances of an individual person actually looking for and seeing this data are extremely small. Want to understand how much data there really is? Consider these facts:
- There's enough memory in digital cameras to hold all every word of every book in the entire Library of Congress one hundred times over.
- So much data is being transferred over email that in every ten minutes the full text of the Library of Congress has been transmitted.
- So much disk storage is being produced every year that it could be used to record a page of information, every minute or two, about you and every other human being on earth
Data and it's individual units, bits, can be confusing, but their impact can't be understated. Bits are one of the most fundamental, yet hardest to understand concepts in computer science. They travel almost instantaneously, and they take almost no space to store. We have to use physical metaphors to make them understandable. Here are some interesting points about bits specifically but data in general:
Data and the news:- Everything is bits. The internet wasn't invented with the capacity for anything other than bits, and that's still all we use. Whether it's movies, phone calls, texts, or pictures, everything that we see from computers is just bits. Fancy software uses the bits in patterns to make things we take meaning from, but it's ultimately just bits moving through the air in radio-waves.
- If you want to take this idea to a truly conspiracy theorist level, you might not be alone. A key idea in computer science is "abstraction", or making things more general and simpler by hiding underlying complexity and making them easy to use. For example, a "gas pedal" doesn't relate to the amount of gasoline going to your engine, as it used to. It's just an abstraction, making your task as a driver simpler than having to understand all the complexity of an internal combustion engine to get your car to move. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk believes in abstraction so much that he thinks we're all living in a simulation and that all we see is just abstractions of data(like seeing an image rather than just bits because of software): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0KHiiTtt4w
- Copies online are perfect. When you send something, say a picture, to another person via email, their copy is perfect- the exact same as yours. Computers fail and networks can malfunction, or power can go out, but without these extraneous circumstances, copies on the internet are perfect. It's possible in theory for a bit in a larger message to not arrive correctly, but with error detectors and correction mechanisms, astronomically unlikely events are more likely to happen than you experiencing a single bit of a message not arriving correctly(in their book the authors state that your car being damaged by a precise meteor show is more likely).
- This is actually why people weren't prosecuted for making copies of audiotapes; the copies were physical, and therefore imperfect. But copies of music online now are perfect when moved from computer to computer, hence why people get prosecuted for downloading music online; the companies making money off music don't want you to have perfect copies for free.
- Paradoxically, information is actually being lost because of the explosion of data. Paper records can be lost as they become obsolete, losing the only form of this information, and it's existence entirely. Similarly, even information in different formats has been lost forever. If computers can no longer read the format the information is in, and it hadn't been translated over previously, it now ceases to exist. Lost forever. Slightly different, but information that takes too long to retrieve also "disappears" to us. Because of search engines, which meany people use as their first option for finding information, if something takes too long to find, for many people it's almost as if it doesn't exist. And for companies this is a do-or-die situation. Their entire business can disappear, literally, if they aren't able to be found quickly amongst all the bits of information online.
- Moore's Law(RIP). The founder of Intel, Gordon Moore, noticed that the density of integrated circuits seemed to double every couple years, in an observation now termed "Moore's Law". The implication of this is that computing power has increased dramatically and continues to increase, making more advanced technology cheaper and more available in short amounts of time. This is why technology has changed so dramatically in such short amounts of time(consider for example that in our lifetimes alone we've seen the invention and development of iPhones, to take only one example).
- If you're interested, Moore's Law actually no longer applies to our world: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601441/moores-law-is-dead-now-what/
New technologies, as I'm sure you know, have an incredible potential to help people. An outstanding case of this is the story of Tanya Rider. Lost for 8 days following a car accident in which she was trapped in the car, the only reason she was found was because of information technology. Our phones regularly send out little clusters of bits; a "I'm here" message. Normally it's used by cell phone companies to determine which is the correct cell phone tower nearest you to send your incoming calls to. But for Tanya, the "I'm here" messages from her phone everyday from the same spot, for 8 days, helped them know where she was. Once the data was noticed. By the time Tanya was rescued she'd already experienced extreme dehydration, kidney failure, and multiple injuries, and likely only made it because of the amount of data being produced all the time and the important information it can tell us, when we choose to look at it. But also in this story are the underlying, darker implications; data also made Tanya Rider's rescue take longer, ironically. Through a misunderstanding, the police didn't know that Tanya's husband had access to her bank account, so when her account showed activity actually from her husband, they thought it was her. Only after the police suspected Tanya's husband of being responsible for her disappearance were they able to access her phone records and find the key piece of evidence necessary to find her. Paradoxically, data saved Tanya Rider while also almost killing her.
Full story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/us/29missing.html
Algorithms(the functions computers use to complete their tasks) have transformed our world. They make Google give you relevant results, your online bank account information safe, and let you buy things online, saving you time and effort. Here's more about just how important algorithms are, as stated by a real expert: https://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_slavin_how_algorithms_shape_our_world
- And here's how they can also ruin just about anything: https://www.wired.com/2014/11/algorithms-great-can-also-ruin-lives/
Ummmm Skynet much? How an artificial intelligence is currently controlling an entire city in China: http://www.iflscience.com/technology/smart-city-china-controlled-artificial-intelligence/?utm_source=Editorial&utm_medium=Static&utm_campaign=RA
And lastly, some videos you might find entertaining.
- Among the many subjects that Crash Course has topics about, they have a fantastic series on computer science that's definitely worth a watch. Some may be more relevant than others to our committee, but all of them are entertaining: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5nskjZ_GoI&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNlUrzyH5r6jN9ulIgZBpdo&index=2
- Netflix also has some great documentaries about topics related to data and computer science. Consider Silicon Cowboys, Banking on Bitcoin(relating to Vice Chair Michael McDonald's earlier post on our blog), and Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World, among others.
What did you think of this post? Was it helpful?
Do you think the pros of the information economy outweigh the cons?
What are some cool stories you've seen about technology and the information economy affecting our lives? Feel free to share links in the comments below.
Do you agree with Elon Musk that we live in a simulation?
And if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in comments and i'll do my best to answer them.
I actually found this post incredibly interesting.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe(not view of my country Sri Lanka) that the pros of the information economy outweighs the negatives.
As for copies of digital data, I believe that this happened even before the internet was popular. People would replicate CDs and sell them to people. People will always cheat the system. However, yes I do agree that piracy of digital data is wrong and that we need to regulate this crime.
While loss of data can completely devastate a company or corporation, most organizations take precautions and back up their data. I am not scared of the loss of data rather I am scared of the overflow of data. One industry that is advancing at a staggering rate is Artificial Intelligence. We know that humans can not analyze all this information, but a machine can. I believe that when AI gets advanced enough to analyze the internet and make decisions by it self, it can completely devastate civilization. This idea of robots destroying the world may seem far fetched, but realistically, it is right around the corner. If governments around the world do not take this matter seriously and regulate AI, it can go out of hand. The fictitious SkyNet in the Terminator movies can become real.
Interesting Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaJgt1uyiJ8
As for the simulation, I do not really know. Many people turn towards math as a theory that we are in a simulation and that is the language we are coded in. Other people find this theory blasphemous. I believe that it really does not matter. Whilst this may seem ignorant at first, we as humans beings will still feel real emotions an d experience life as we see it, even if it is all fake.
What are your views of the information economy correlating to Artificial Intelligence?
Thanks for your comment! I'm very glad to hear that you found the post interesting!
DeleteRelated to your point about data being lost; I agree. I was simply trying to illustrate some basic aspects of bits. Data overflow is a much more plausible circumstance than bits being lost, and is likely more relevant to what will be discussed in CSTD, I was just trying to give some background on how data works, functions, and is transferred.
I've also see Elon Musk's views on Artificial Intelligence, and find them interesting as well. I'm by no means an expert, but Vice Chair Michael McDonald is and I'm sure he has much more to say on this topic. However, I'd postulate that A.I. is essential in the information economy. With as much data as currently exists, and humans unable to process it, the job must go to machines. While I agree that there are risks, such as A.I. diagnosing disease or making decisions that are majorly consequential to human lives, they're potentially the only tool that allows us to tap in to the reservoir of information available in data. And, in my opinion, the information stored in this data is too important to not be utilized.
The delegation of Egypt is truly fascinated by the rise of technology in our world today, especially after this post. Seeing the use of data in our world transform is incredibly interesting because individuals are coming up with new ideas everyday, and the future is looking bright(a little scary, but change is always scary). Our nation believes that the benefits outweigh the consequences because innovation and change is the key to success. As the delegates of a developing country with poor living conditions and high unemployment rates, there is a great desire to branch out and try new things, like expanding the information economy. The information economy is a way for companies to interact and cooperate with each other(disregarding the distance between them), which benefits each nation greatly. By allowing the information economy to flourish, innovation is being encouraged because it promotes the idea of sharing information safely, which can benefit small businesses as long as regulation prohibits big companies from dominating the economy as well as protects our citizens. Data is changing the world and we need to change with it. The delegation of Egypt is extremely excited to work with all of you at the conference(:
ReplyDeleteThe delegation of Malaysia agrees with you in that change and innovation is necessary to bring our nations to the forefront in this era of technology. We have been in your position before, but we have recently been able to rapidly modernize to adapt to the information economy that rules over our lives. We also agree with you on the benefit businesses receive from the information economy, and while we believe certain regulations must exist, we believe that improving our businesses will help boost our nation as a whole. The delegation of Malaysia wholeheartedly welcomes you to work with us to present solutions to this varying issue.
DeleteIn our era of technology we are constantly surrounded by and influenced by data and information. However, instead of trying to change or reject it, we must learn to adapt to it. Thus, the Delegation of Malaysia believes that the information economy is not only necessary but currently permanent and unchangeable, so we must adapt to it. That being said, while there are obviously drawbacks to the continuous bombardment of data we receive, we believe that the pros overall outweigh the cons. Without the data we received, we would’ve been unable to track down or save Tanya, even though it took longer than anticipated. Information allows us to be much more connected and improves the efficiency of all machines, freeing us up in our daily lives. The exploration we are able to do using the data we have gathered only provides us with more questions, ultimately driving progress and improving mankind. Additionally, Malaysia itself has largely improved and benefitted from the information economy, which has allowed Malaysia to grow into a technological powerhouse. Thus, Malaysia believes that the pros of the information economy outweigh the cons, and has improved our lives as a whole.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting!
DeleteHave you considered the potential that this data has to educate, as well as develop economies? Citizen journalism and social media have allowed many more people to be intimately impacted by world events than ever before, despite the proliferation of fictitious news online- but this could be a serious concern in some cases. Also, the proliferation of information technology has helped to globalized education, as there are now learning platforms accessible to millions of people they would never have had access to otherwise. For instance, you can find links to course information from some of the best universities in the world for free- so technology can revolutionize education and awareness as much as the world economic balance.
Just a quick follow-up to the point about Moore's Law coming to an end. This article goes pretty in depth about the engineering involved in making chips, but is really interesting even if you can't understand every detail(as even I don't, completely).
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/technology/smaller-faster-cheaper-over-the-future-of-computer-chips.html?_r=0
The delegation of China agrees that the post was useful and very thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, the cons of an information economy are undeniable. When computers regulate essential aspects of people’s lives, individuals may fall victim to mistakes from a faulty RMV face-recognition algorithm or a badly designed health services program.
Problems like physical data loss can be solved by small allotments of national revenue towards preserving artifacts and other information sources, and we must acknowledge that most of these issues directly result from human misuse of data, algorithms, etc. As long as programs are designed and maintained to allow for smooth integration of computers and AI in human society, the negative impacts of glitches and communication flaws can be eliminated altogether.
For any nation, the benefits of expanding one’s information economy are countless. For instance, in China, facial recognition technologies have been used to catch criminals using algorithms.
Check it out here: http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/2123415/doctor-border-guard-policeman-artificial
I do not believe that we are currently living in a simulation, but it may be the way of the future. It is a logical option for resource conservation and extended living. Therefore, the most logical policy route for nations to take is simply to keep an open mind to new developments that would normally be considered uncomfortably close to sci-fi.
Many thanks for the post - it definitely helped spur some more in-depth contemplation on the information economy for the delegation of the People’s Republic of China.
My question for you: Do you think data loss or the jeopardization of privacy will be the largest obstacle to the advancement of the information economy?
Thanks for your comment!
DeleteI don't know if I can necessarily say that I think data loss or the jeopardization of privacy will be the largest obstacles, but they're undeniably important. Data loss meaning the loss of bits, is very unlikely and I wouldn't prioritize much- it was just a point I brought up to help delegates understand some of the science of what is being discussed. But data loss from previous formats and sources that can't be found quickly are more interesting because the second directly impacts how we learn and get information about the world, which effects our perception of it. But overall, I think industries and individuals are adapting to online technology, so this will become less and less of a problem in the future, I'd venture to say. Privacy is interesting though, because it's impossible to make systems completely secure. Information will always be stolen, but information technology just makes it easier because of the vast amount of data that need to be protected, the resources this takes, and how much easier it is to access but so many people.
But related to protecting artifacts, if this is an issue that interests you there are actually other UN committees that deal with that specifically. And the Security Council has also taken notice, given the actions of groups like ISIS in destroying artifacts(and cultural heritage and a form of "data" about the past, with it): https://en.unesco.org/news/security-council-adopts-historic-resolution-protection-heritage.
The delegation of the United Kingdom believes that jeopardization of privacy will be the largest obstacle to the advancement of information economy. Data loss is merely a fact of life that computer scientists around the world are combatting. In fact, the information economy may prove to be the key to preserving data and allowing the near instantaneous retrieval of data. However, it is the jeopardization of privacy that has the power to change the world and our values. If we are to maintain our culture and expectations of privacy in our homes, we must consider ways to preserve said privacy.
DeleteThe delegation of The United Stats believes that the success of the information economy is vital to the success of the economy. This information economy benefits businesses greatly. If we are worried about the information economy because of the cons and risks bring, we would be jeopardizing business’ right to prosper. Yes there have been issues that are products of the information economy. However, that means that we must try to improve or even solve the cons that come from the information economy. We should invest in businesses that would help improve the information economy, so we will never have another situations like Tanya’s.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting!
DeleteHave you thought about the risk to individual's jobs security as AI and robotics improve? In a country where unemployment following the 2008 economic crisis played a major roll in politics, I think loosing their jobs to technology, as they did with globalization, could be a fear on many people's minds. I know it can be hard to find a balance between these two conflicting aims to protect employment and promote efficiency, but it's something to consider.
This post was certainly helpful! Germany finds it intriguing that the information economy encompasses a multitude of aspects that are both distinct, yet intertwined. As the world’s fourth largest economy, Germany recognizes the need to assist small and medium enterprises as they integrate into the information economy through e-commerce. We acknowledge that as a hub for technological start-ups, privacy protection regulations can slow growth, which is why our country is committed to seeking a balance between business interests and the newly enacted General Data Protection Regulation directive.
ReplyDeleteIt is indisputable that the pros of the information economy outweigh the cons, given its ability to increase communication and foster economic growth from a GDP standpoint. Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems is currently intending to apply the concept of blockchain to their development of wireless radio-frequency identification sensor systems, with the aim of increasing the efficiency of data management in the logistical sector by reducing fraud and error. As the information economy advances, Elon Musk’s idea of simulation and abstraction seems more plausible, however it raises many more questions as to the origin of human life and human nature.
Thanks for commenting!
DeleteWhat great, in depth research! Have you considered the impact that this increased communication has on politics? Events like the Arab Spring, Iran's Green Movement, and the Occupy Wall Street campaign really show the revolutionary effect this increased communication can have- some the data constantly being produced can promote democracy around the globe!