Why do we need to look at Heroes of Data?
While the final step in a brilliant discovery might be considered a flash of genius, it is almost always based on a long process of observation, analysis and contemplation.
Isaac Newton was not hit on the head with an apple: That was not the way he discovered gravity, although observing apples fall may have been part of his experience. He, and others, sought data, did the analysis, and then hypothesised.
Few would argue about the need for data, yet in many situations, we develop ideas, express opinions, make policies and start projects without accurate or sufficiently complete data to help seek the greatest value to those whom we are supposed to serve.
Our series, Heroes of Data, aims to look at how people motivated by a desire to do good and who made significant and honourable contributions to our society, with the proper collection and presentation of data as the first essential steps.
Data first, then Science
In his book “A Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Science”, John Losee notes that “The analysis of scientific method is a second order discipline, the subject matter of which is the procedures and how” (1)
Level one is “Science, which is an explanation of the facts below”
He calls “Facts” Level Zero – the thing you need to start doing before you can start the science.
We look up to the Heroes of Data because they appreciate this core element of the process and have achieved much by doing so.
Einstein, the world’s best-known scientist, is considered the epitome of a genius, but the process that led to his theories of relativity and other scientific work was not the result of only a few one-moment-in-time inspirations. David Bodanis’s book “E=mc2: A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation” (2) sets out the very long process of measurement and analysis to understanding energy, mass and the speed of light, to reach a point where a genius, after much contemplation with other super clever people, could link them all together.
Do we have enough facts to make predictions?
The process of science is to progress from factual knowledge to an understanding of why something took place.
Transport planning has grown out of what we think was happening based on the number of vehicles or people travelling at various locations. Yet too much of the political debate is based on overgeneralisations of "what” is happening, and we are yet to develop sufficiently “why” it is happening. We have not yet come close to developing an ongoing way to engage the public with the details necessary for them to constructively contribute to the process.
We are fortunate to be in a time when we can start to understand more about the patterns of entire trips. But a plethora of numbers does not guarantee that we have avoided a narrow “average” perspective that will not help us adequately look into the future.
Einstein, for example, insisted that statistical accounts of radioactivity decay were incomplete. He maintained that a complete interpretation would enable predictions to be made of the behaviour of individual atoms. (1).
Many commentaries with predictions of a transport future are not based on sufficiently complete statistical accounts. Many references to historical developments are vague generalisations or even myths.
Our Heroes of Data show us that ensuring good data, collected with processes based on principles and values, brings about real change.
Who creates the narrative?
One of our heroes, Florence Nightingale, pioneered techniques of communication.
“In 1858, Nightingale wrote her “Notes on Matters Affecting the Health, Efficiency and Hospital Administration of the British Army”. In it, she created a remarkable and original graphical display to show us just what'd really gone on in the War. It was a Polar-Area Diagram that showed how people had died during the period from July, 1854, through the end of the following year. The graph is a lesson to any engineer in how to present data -- not only so that it's clear to any reader, but to reveal the big picture as well”. (3)
The above quote is part of the University of Houston’s “Engines of our Ingenuity” series. Data and its presentation are indeed the engine that is driving our development into the future.
What Nightingale did in a military situation; our other Heroes did in their own ways. Jevin West established the Center for an Informed Public, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gave some very clever insights through literature.
We have included Confucius as a hero because he promoted principles and values as the essential aspect of seeking and using information.
There is a clear demarcation between seeking scientific investigation and seeking to justify a preconceived opinion or a self-serving strategy.
Data can be used to elucidate or obfuscate real meanings.
It can be manipulated to drive profit, political endeavours, or to support an organisation considering those we serve.
“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact” (4)
But the true use of data is to engage with the community and bring about positive change.
Heroes of Data Series
History must not be just a few generalisations or sink to the level of myth. It’s about the processes that brought about the best results.
We must respect, be inspired by, and learn from the great Heroes of Data.
This is an ongoing series. More details on each of these champions and others to follow can be found at https://austraffic.com.au/tags/heroesofdata
References
- (1972) Losee “A Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Science” Publisher : Oxford University Press (5 October 1972); ISBN-10: 0198850778; ISBN-13 : 978-0198850779
- (2005) David Bodanis “E=mc2: A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation” Publisher: Walker Books; 2nd edition (October 1, 2005), ISBN-10 0802714633; ISBN-13; 978-0802714633
- Lienhard “NIGHTINGALE'S GRAPH” by John H. Lienhard https://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1712.
- Arthur Conan Doyle, The Boscombe Valley Mystery - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story
For more posts in this series, see https://austraffic.com.au/tags/heroesofdata