Lesson 5: The Big Data
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count, everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted." - Albert Einstein
So what is the concept is Big Data? Well, unfortunately, everything you do on the internet is stored whether you like it or not. Google for example, store the information of every website you visit for up to 6 weeks. And you thought you had some privacy? Let's be honest, there is nothing private on the internet any more. Not even where you think it wouldn't matter. Take Facebook as another example, the company can sell your information to other companies based on what you post and what you're looking at. Scary, isn't it?
Despite the fact I knew this was the case to an extent, it took Paul's explanation to make me realise the actual extent of their privacy invasion. One of the students in the class last year didn't get a job because of a picture he was tagged of a night out BY A FRIEND. Facebook is dangerous. There is no doubt about it. The information people can obtain about you through such a website is something we should all be thinking about seriously.
Even various companies are selling off information now. Travel-lodge for example, you stay at one of their hotels in Manchester, use the wi-fi, give them your details, then go for a day trip in Belfast they'll know you're there! I kid you not. They will most likely contact you giving an offer to stay in their hotel for a night.
When you realise the truth behind the great Internet and it's giants, it's a scary thing to get your head around. It certainly was for me, all the time I've spent online trying to be as cautious as I can only to find that they can get at me either way! But not all hope is lost. There is a ray of light behind the dark truth of Big Data.
Assuming everyone who reads this still remembers the swine flu outbreak a few years ago. How would the government predict the next outbreak? They tested patients that came in with the symptoms for the particular virus. But that takes weeks, so by the time they knew the outbreak was maybe 2 weeks past due. Seems ridiculous doesn't it? Well, how did they know? You'll never believe me if I told you but Google is the reason.
Google figured out the amount of people in each area that were searching for information about their symptoms, and were able to tell the government what was going on within 13 minutes. Of course, to start with, they were laughed at and ignored but Google never gave up. Eventually the governments all over the world were in shock and started listening to Google's predictions. Only to find that every single one of them were correct. All because they kept a record of websites visited. By recognising the patterns in searches all over the globe, Google were able to help the government tackle the next outbreak, saving many lives and eventually helping us get over the virus completely. Well done Google!
Unfortunately Big Data won't do anything to change arts and culture, even though it has all the power to do so. We have the choice to make the world pay attention to us and realise just how important and effective these categories can be. Creative arts has the biggest area of possible growth out of any other focused area, but a large percent of our society in the modern day fail to recognise this. Which I think is a shame because art in general is a way of bringing people from all backgrounds to one common ground. This can be beneficial on any level.
I'll take Londonderry/Derry in Northern Ireland as a prime example. This city is City of Culture 2013 and it has completely changed the atmosphere in this place. Londonderry/Derry used to be a city full of violence and negativity. Asked anybody in Ireland or Northern Ireland and they'd tell you to avoid it but this year their opinions have changed completely. How is this possible? I give you one word.
Art.
Over the course of 2013 there have been countless festivals in Londonderry/Derry to celebrate being the city of culture. From art galleries to music festivals and Halloween parades ongoing right now, people from all over Ireland, the UK and the world have gathered to celebrate alongside the city in their moment of glory. Less conflict and violence, instead people unite to celebrate the Creative Arts. It is a fantastic thing to be a part of and I'm looking forward to joining the Halloween parades over the next week! It'll be an experience to remember and even if I wasn't part of the organising, by just turning up I'm supporting the Creative Arts and the feelings will be unforgettable. I know that for a fact!
In closing I just want to give a proper thanks to our lecturer Paul. His aim over the 12 weeks is to educate us and teach us how we can make the negatives work the way we want them too. He wanted to give us a new outlook on life and our role as Creative Art students, and certainly for me he's achieved that from week one. Paul's classes inspire me to continue with the motivation I've had since childhood. It's good to know I followed the right feeling 7 years ago! He doesn't need to worry about iPad's and laptops being a distraction in his class because we're using them to share the experiences he's passing to us! :)
I'd love to give an insight to next week but I don't know what he has in store for us! You'll just have to watch this space.
It's not just the websites we visit. Oh, no.
Even various companies are selling off information now. Travel-lodge for example, you stay at one of their hotels in Manchester, use the wi-fi, give them your details, then go for a day trip in Belfast they'll know you're there! I kid you not. They will most likely contact you giving an offer to stay in their hotel for a night.
When you realise the truth behind the great Internet and it's giants, it's a scary thing to get your head around. It certainly was for me, all the time I've spent online trying to be as cautious as I can only to find that they can get at me either way! But not all hope is lost. There is a ray of light behind the dark truth of Big Data.
Here's the positive:
Assuming everyone who reads this still remembers the swine flu outbreak a few years ago. How would the government predict the next outbreak? They tested patients that came in with the symptoms for the particular virus. But that takes weeks, so by the time they knew the outbreak was maybe 2 weeks past due. Seems ridiculous doesn't it? Well, how did they know? You'll never believe me if I told you but Google is the reason.
Google figured out the amount of people in each area that were searching for information about their symptoms, and were able to tell the government what was going on within 13 minutes. Of course, to start with, they were laughed at and ignored but Google never gave up. Eventually the governments all over the world were in shock and started listening to Google's predictions. Only to find that every single one of them were correct. All because they kept a record of websites visited. By recognising the patterns in searches all over the globe, Google were able to help the government tackle the next outbreak, saving many lives and eventually helping us get over the virus completely. Well done Google!
Looking back to Creative Arts..
Unfortunately Big Data won't do anything to change arts and culture, even though it has all the power to do so. We have the choice to make the world pay attention to us and realise just how important and effective these categories can be. Creative arts has the biggest area of possible growth out of any other focused area, but a large percent of our society in the modern day fail to recognise this. Which I think is a shame because art in general is a way of bringing people from all backgrounds to one common ground. This can be beneficial on any level.
I'll take Londonderry/Derry in Northern Ireland as a prime example. This city is City of Culture 2013 and it has completely changed the atmosphere in this place. Londonderry/Derry used to be a city full of violence and negativity. Asked anybody in Ireland or Northern Ireland and they'd tell you to avoid it but this year their opinions have changed completely. How is this possible? I give you one word.Art.
Over the course of 2013 there have been countless festivals in Londonderry/Derry to celebrate being the city of culture. From art galleries to music festivals and Halloween parades ongoing right now, people from all over Ireland, the UK and the world have gathered to celebrate alongside the city in their moment of glory. Less conflict and violence, instead people unite to celebrate the Creative Arts. It is a fantastic thing to be a part of and I'm looking forward to joining the Halloween parades over the next week! It'll be an experience to remember and even if I wasn't part of the organising, by just turning up I'm supporting the Creative Arts and the feelings will be unforgettable. I know that for a fact!
In closing I just want to give a proper thanks to our lecturer Paul. His aim over the 12 weeks is to educate us and teach us how we can make the negatives work the way we want them too. He wanted to give us a new outlook on life and our role as Creative Art students, and certainly for me he's achieved that from week one. Paul's classes inspire me to continue with the motivation I've had since childhood. It's good to know I followed the right feeling 7 years ago! He doesn't need to worry about iPad's and laptops being a distraction in his class because we're using them to share the experiences he's passing to us! :)
I'd love to give an insight to next week but I don't know what he has in store for us! You'll just have to watch this space.
Until next time. :)
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