The human insights missing from big data
Conference talk at TED Talks
· 16 min
Why do so many companies make bad decisions, even with access to unprecedented amounts of data? In this TED talk from 2017, Tricia Wang demystifies big data and identifies its pitfalls, with stories that range from Nokia and Netflix to the oracles of ancient Greece.
Instead of trusting numbers alone, Wang suggests focusing on “thick data”: precious, unquantifiable insights from actual people. She argues this is what helps organizations make the right business decisions and thrive in the unknown.
For UX and product teams, the talk is a strong argument for pairing analytics with qualitative user research.
What you'll learn
- Why companies make bad decisions despite unprecedented amounts of data
- The pitfalls of relying on big data alone
- What thick data is and why it matters for decisions
Watch next
-
Barry SchwartzThe paradox of choice
-
Sheena IyengarThe art of choosing
-
Sebastian WernickeHow to use data to make a hit TV show
-
Maurits KapteinOur personalized online persuasion profiles
Free email course
Build Persuasive Products
A free lesson each week on using psychology to design more engaging interactions. Learn at your own pace.
Start the free course
