Review by Booklist Review
British science and technology writer and comedian Harkness has been thinking about and explaining big data to audiences for years. In layman's terms, she attempts to make sense of a world gone data-crazy. She begins with a history of data collection, like early birth, death, and marriage registries, but mostly she focuses on current projects, like those used in smart cities, energy, medicine, transportation, social and physical sciences, and policing. So what differentiates big data from little data? By combining disparate data sets, we can make previously unknown connections, patterns, and correlations. Potential misuse of data, such as using DNA to make hiring decisions, is not inevitable. She points out that an algorithm is accountable to nobody, advocating that humans stay in the decision loop, choosing the questions we're asking and involving ourselves in public policy. By laying out examples and issues related to big data, Harkness hopes to help readers better understand the incredible pros and frightening cons of big data. This thought-provoking book explores one of the biggest opportunities in business, politics, and science in the twenty-first century with just the right amount of humor to keep it lively. A great addition to business, computer science, and public policy collections.--Kaplan, Dan Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Harkness, a London-based science writer and comedian whose repertoire features a stand-up comedy routine on neuroscience, tackles the subject of Big Data, delving into how it is collected and used, its value, its potential dangers, and the questions its uses raise for modern society. Harkness is particularly adept at plucking out interesting examples that capture how Big Data is transforming the world. She clearly describes the work of researchers who hope to develop a global database of insects to the fight against malaria and other diseases, how the CERN atom smasher collects data when searching for exotic quantum particles, and the ways the creators of the Tinder app collect information about each and every one of its users. These examples-along with others explaining the use of Big Data by business entities, police and fire departments, and political parties-provide a comprehensive and accessible overview of the ubiquity of data collection in modern society. Harkness wisely notes the limitations and inherent dangers of using Big Data, exploring fears of a "Big Brother" society and individuals' loss of privacy in a balanced and thoughtful way. Throughout, Harkness puts her comedian persona to good use, and her clever asides make this tour of Big Data both smart and fun. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Comedian and journalist Harkness, who has presented documentaries such as Data, Data Everywhere and written for publications such as the Independent, delves into the history of data collection, from the discovery of a wolf bone with 57 notches to a computer (a person's job title) to the computer (the machine today). The author describes breakthroughs that big data has allowed in physics (glimpsing the Higgs boson) and medicine (the realization that smoking causes lung cancer). Data is everywhere, and Harkness notes that it can be manipulated to show causation. One of the main points is that while information itself is unbiased, the way it is used isn't; data can answer many hows but few whys. Harkness's first-person perspective and humorous footnotes make this a solid starting point for newcomers to the topic. VERDICT Those who enjoy technology, statistics, or works by authors such as John C. -Havens will appreciate Harkness's view and the interviews she has compiled to show its importance.-Natalie Browning, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community Coll. Lib., Richmond, VA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
