Comic Book Lessons in Analytics — Constantine
Time to save the world. Got a light?
I’ve written about other types of possibly frustrating personalities you might encounter in analytics, including those who know everything and those who doubt the same everything.
This one’s different. He doesn’t know everything, but he bloody well knows more than you do.
Meet John Constantine
John Constantine is a con-man. A liar. A thief. And really, he’s just a pain in ass. Constantine is one the least trustworthy characters in the DC Comics universe. He once made a literal deal with the devil to sell his soul in order to save his own life (by curing his lung cancer), then reneged on the deal. Yet he’s still alive- and still smoking.
He’s also saved the world more times than anyone will ever know.
If you met Constantine on the street, you wouldn’t see him as hero. You’d probably register a hungover (or drunk) guy in a rumpled trench coat, coffee in one hand and cigarette in the other. But if your soul was in danger, you’d see… well, the same guy. Telling you that he’s come to save you.
Meet the Hellblazer
John sees the world differently than most because he sees the constant danger looming from the underworld. He understands why the constellations look wrong sometimes, and what he needs to do to stop the invasion that their appearance portends.
We mostly see Constantine in comics in the same type of scenario you might have seen on Arrow or Legends of Tomorrow on the CW. He appears, usually unexpected, and tells everyone that they are about to enter Hell. He’s there to stop them.
We still talking about Analytics?
Are you paying attention? Yes, we’re talking about Analytics.
There are some really annoying people in Data Science that we still need because they are useful. Constantine is a good example of two of them.
- The analyst/architect/manager who interrupts your work or meeting or planning session to tell you to stop because you’re doing it wrong. There is information you don’t have, and you’re wasting your time because of it.
- The person who sits in the corner of the room at most meetings who seems to be criticizing almost everything you say. And is very blunt about how he says it. Problem is, he’s usually got a point.
Know anyone like that? ’Cause I know some people who do.
Information sharing
Constantine lives in a world constantly under threat by forces from very dark places and very dark beings, sometimes because of something he’s done.
He also usually works alone. When working with others, he often finds himself having to relay a lot of information very quickly. Constantine then has to teach a group of people a lot of important information that they don’t want to learn.
You’ve all been in this position. It gets frustrating on both sides. You have no time to slow down, and your audience has no time to process. But they also need to the information you’re sharing in order to proceed.
Just remember, when you’re on either side of the frustration, that you’ve also been on the other side of it. Sometimes you don’t want to hear what’s being said, and sometimes you have to make someone hear you when they don’t want to listen.
And the cynical, annoying guy in the corner still might have something to contribute.
So… you coming or what?
For more colorful characters in action, check out…
