Ethics of Data Manipulation

Data. We have a culture obsessed with it.

‘Data is the new oil’ is a phrase now commonly espoused by economists and academics alike. Whether it be in the classroom or the boardroom, we often ask “do you have any data to back up your claims” or something similar to that effect. While this is a good question to start with, we need to take this line of thinking a step further and ask, “how good* is your data”?

Reference this tweet from Ellen K Pao, former reddit CEO, who stated that most of the internet was fake. It was an important warning not only about the state of the internet but also about the data-driven environment that we currently exist in. Pao might use some strong language in her statement, but the core of her message is spot on. Despite the heavy emphasis of data being used in a growing number of fields, it is important to not let this affliction for data lead us to a place where we get used to saying and hearing statements such as “The numbers look good when I do this”. Combatting this urge, even if it is only a minor change or for a cause we deem worthy, can be difficult but it has to start somewhere. Whether it be at work, in the classroom, or in our personal lives, data has the ability to tell great stories but we should never force false narratives.

*Good: In this sense is being referred to as the accurate presentation of truthful information