3 You and Your Data

Unequal knowledge about us produces unequal power over us.^[1] –

Data is a ubiquitous background element in our lives, all our lives. We don’t think about it much, but we should. Just look at the list of topics above, data touches all of these aspects of life and more. We need to be aware of the importance and impact of data on our daily lives. That is what this book is about! In addition to be pervasive in our lives, our relationship to data is about to change, for the better, let’s dive into how data is part of lives, how it will change and what we can do to make our data work for us.

3.1 Origins of the Internet and World Wide Web

3.2 Current views and attitudes toward data

3.3 Some people don’t have the luxury of thinking about data

3.3.1 People who are living in poverty

3.3.2 People who are living at subsistence levels

3.3.3 Reduction of poverty and why it matters

3.4 How the general population thinks about data today

3.5 How do you think about data today?

3.5.1 What is your orientation toward your data?

3.5.2 Do you view the data you create as your own?

3.5.3 Do you think that the companies who collect, store, and use your data, own or co-own your data?

3.5.4 Let’s discuss ownership and licensing as it relates to data

3.5.5 Have you ever thought of data as something that you own?

3.5.6 Do you think about how your data is being treated?

3.5.7 Do you even think that it is YOUR data?

3.5.8 Do you think about the data that your children create daily and the implications that their stream of data will have on their futures, their careers, their opportunities to attend the university of their dreams, their brain chemistry, their attention spans, their temperament and more?

3.5.9 Do you think about the data of all people across the world?

3.5.10 Do you think that you should be able to manage your data?

3.6 Green shoots and new beginnings