And I can't get past the idea that people are almost continually messing with the data...
The people are creating the data. The mere fact of wanting to quantify something implies messing with it. There's a scientific idea that merely observing something changes it -- or rather, the act of observing something requires interpretation. So it's different no matter what (as quoted from finabair).
By wanting to use data you are already choosing what data to gather, what to look at and how to structure the information. You can do that all with the most open mind, and still miss out an what's really there. Some times you can luck out and find that the data you gather actually shows the opposite, but too often what your missing isn't the opposite, but rather something entirely different that your data doesn't even recognize.
And Amy's right, the world it just to complicated most times. Most times it's not intentional evil that does us in, but the accidental, unintentional kind. But that's a whole 'nother post. *grin*
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Date: 2007-02-09 03:52 am (UTC)From:And I can't get past the idea that people are almost continually messing with the data...
The people are creating the data. The mere fact of wanting to quantify something implies messing with it. There's a scientific idea that merely observing something changes it -- or rather, the act of observing something requires interpretation. So it's different no matter what (as quoted from
By wanting to use data you are already choosing what data to gather, what to look at and how to structure the information. You can do that all with the most open mind, and still miss out an what's really there. Some times you can luck out and find that the data you gather actually shows the opposite, but too often what your missing isn't the opposite, but rather something entirely different that your data doesn't even recognize.
And Amy's right, the world it just to complicated most times. Most times it's not intentional evil that does us in, but the accidental, unintentional kind. But that's a whole 'nother post. *grin*