Living in Data

In a world where data is constantly mined, processed, and used for profit and power, how can we become active citizens rather than passive inhabitants of the digital landscape? Jer Thorp's analysis of the word "data" in 10,325 New York Times stories written between 1984 and 2018 reveals a striking trend: alongside classic companions like "information" and "digital," we now find "scandal," "misinformation," "ethics," "friends," and "play." In Living in Data, Thorp explores what it means to live in a data-driven society in the twenty-first century, where we are incessantly extracted from, classified, categorized, sold, and surveilled. Threading a compelling narrative through hippo attacks, glaciers, school gymnasiums, colossal rice piles, and active minefields, Living in Data reminds us that the future of data is still unwritten. Thorp shows us how to transcend facts and figures to find more visceral ways to engage with data and tell new stories about its potential uses. Featuring the author's original illustrations, Living in Data redefines what data is and reimagines who gets to speak its language. This timely and inspiring book presents a path toward a more just and democratic data future, empowering readers to harness its power for positive change.