Data Obsession!

I'm saying IT IS a bad thing. Look at the job interview process and people can't get past resume screeners with key words to talk to a live person anymore. Data obsession and "analysis" in many aspects of our lives has gone too far. On Facebook they analyze your clicks and also in grocery stores analyze your purchases to spam you with more advertising or coupons. It's crazy.

Remember the good old days when "analysis" was reserved for professors and shrinks! Yep, we do suffer from paralysis by analysis at times!

Richard, I believe in looking at data for big decisions, but not all data is meaningful. We have to apply a certain amount of critical thinking and not be willing to just take data as hard 'facts'.  I still strongly believe in following my gut.  It may add an element of chance, but it usually serves me well.  

Lee Iacocca said it best, "I have always found that if I move with seventy-five percent or more of the facts that I usually never regret it. It's the guys who wait to have everything perfect that drive you crazy."

I think it's a bad thing.  Too much too much and too much.  Things are bound to crash, they always do.

I am already prone to "over think" at times, but data can be a good thing to assist in making smarter decisions.

Richard,

I've been targeted as an "analyzer" by several psychological tests in the past. Sometimes it can be paralyzing.

Rich

I still rely on my gut instincts.  While I like having Yelp to guide me to a good restaurant, sometimes its better to just walk in and try it.  Did that in SF a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised.

Richard, We just finished our car shopping today, and tons of it revolved around data analysis.  The ability to go virtually to every dealership from here to DC and back enabled us to determine exactly where the cars were we wanted.  Fortunately the one we're contracting for was only 90 miles away and the local dealership will arrange to bring it to town.  Bill

I am a big data guy and the Fantasy Baseball fits that bill for me really well.

It is good for my business also.

Though you have a valid point about data, I wonder if surrendering to quantifiable analysis is the most optimal way to go; sometimes there just is no replacement for a gut feeling. Thanks for the post!

Get in the car...flip a coin every couple blocks...heads right...ails left...see where you land///non-techie, just fun.

Richard, it is a different world. I do much of my shopping on-line these days. The only things I purchase locally are toiletries and groceries.