Let's Talk About Data. BIG DATA.

My interpretation of big data is that it is how our everyday actions can be used to collect data, without it being obvious to us or a hindrance to our day. Instead of being asked to complete a ten-minute survey at the mall or pestered by those telemarketer phone calls during dinner; data collection now lives in the shadow of my movements. If you want to know what I might buy, look at my Amazon purchases and what I’ve rated. If you think I might be interested in a certain online boutique, look at my Facebook likes. I’m reminded of the ‘Turn on location?’ question that can pop up when using new apps on a phone. Many absentmindedly answer the question with ‘Yes’ because it is of some benefit to them, rarely do we think about how it is benefiting the other side of the equation. The most interesting thing about big data is that most of it we give willingly, and with some naiveté; not thinking about what could happen if it was put into the wrong hands. My thoughts about big data are an expansion of the definition given by the Harvard Business Review, who explained it as "when everyday objects can send and receive data" (2014).  The amount of information gathered from a single day's actions now produces more measurable data than before and with the trend of big data we can use these data sets to our advantage. 

I have been challenged with thinking up a project I'd like to pursue using big data, that would help me personally or professionally and would have impact on the human condition. My thought for a big data project would be to track Facebook posts for combinations of the words 'volunteer' and 'need', and then develop an interactive map that would show which areas in my city and which organizations have the greatest need for volunteers. My idea is that this could then be used for employers, groups, or individuals who are looking for opportunities to volunteer and provide organizations help and support with their service. An impact would be made on the human condition by highlighting those that are in need of the most help providing them with a steadier stream of volunteer, and it provide that opportunity for those willing to give of their time to volunteer. This would create a way to serve and be served in one exchange. 

This project could have a great impact on those local nonprofit organizations that demonstrate need but are overlooked, highlighting them and shedding more light on their mission and their cause. Once implemented and successful on the local level, the map could be updated to statewide, nationwide, and then global. With each successful integration of a larger area, more organizations are helped to be successful. This would not only make the project successful in linking volunteers with opportunities but by providing these organizations with the help they need to succeed we are furthering their missions and effectively touching more people through them. 

             One concern with this big data project is that not all the combinations of the words ‘volunteer’ and ‘need’ will be posts expressing the need of an organization, so a way to sift through those posts that are just stating something versus expressing need will need to be developed. I would also worry with respect to abuse of data that it would put a target on organizations that are suffering and not in a good way. They could lose volunteers, when they find out about other opportunities elsewhere. I also feel like larger organizations could start poaching volunteers and that they could see where their organization would fill the needs more efficiently in one area and boot someone out. When thinking about the misuse of this data by other avenues, I don’t come up with many ideas making me believe this would be a pretty safe use of big data. There is not a lot of personal data being shared through this project so no one’s spending habits or personal data would be up for grabs. 

           In our current time, big data is a very important tool that when harnessed well and used for the right reasons can be powerful in helping us deal with the public challenges we face. As mentioned in the TedTalk, having more data allows us to see new things, better things and different things than what we has been before. As important as putting this new data to use is, we must also place a high disregard on protecting it and protecting the world it could effect if used incorrectly. As public servants, one of the highest callings for us in the future will be to protect those who give of their information and the information its self to sustain the ability to achieve our goals.

With Big Data Comes Big Responsibility. (2014, November 05). Retrieved February 13, 2017, from https://hbr.org/2014/11/with-big-data-comes-big-responsibility

Cukier, K. (n.d.). Big data is better data. Retrieved February 13, 2017, from https://www.ted.com/talks/kenneth_cukier_big_data_is_better_data#t-296479