Mr. Robot
A WARNING TO ALL ANALYSTS
Creative Analytics is filled with dozens of analytic lessons drawn from popular culture. Taking inspiration from TV and Movies is both fun and efficient. Analogies are a great way to impart a lot of information in a very mild amount of time. All that said, Mr Robot has been on my radar for some time. Using it almost seemed… dangerous.
There is something uncomfortable about Eliot and his world. It goes beyond those buggy eyes and the persistent drug and sex references. At the heart of that feeling is a recognition. The realization that much of this is NOT that far from the truth. There is certainly some exaggeration and plenty of liberty is taken in the name of a compelling story line, but many aspects of this show simply expose human nature. And that nature is uncomfortable…
Everyone Is Crazy
I am sure that seems extreme. But if you consider the litany of issues that plague us, it is hard to escape the realization that nearly everyone is battling their own inner demons. OCD, depression, PTSD, anorexia, agoraphobia, alcoholism, drug addiction, claustrophobia, germaphobia, narcissism, migraines, fear of spiders, and extreme boredom — all effect the way people around us behave. And the list just keeps going — sex addicts, racists, ADHD, IBS, color-blindness, sleep disorders, and even the ragingly stupid.
Think of almost anyone you know well. The likelihood is high that they battle with at least one of these issues. Probability is strong that they deal with two or more. We still haven’t mentioned abandonment issues, loss of a child or loved one to an accident, child abuse, sexual abuse, or wickedly bad luck. Everyone is suffering. It is only a matter of degree.
For analysts who spend their days analyzing the behaviors of customer groups and test subjects, this is an incredibly important realization. Groups of people tend to be quite average, but individuals tend to be unique. This fact is easily lost when we attempt to validate typing on individual subjects or synthesize individual behaviors into larger stereotypes.
Nothing Is What It Seems
At this point, you may be wondering if I have my own Aderol addiction, but once again the show is simply emphasizing a very true aspect of reality. People don’t really see what they think they do!
Cast all the issues I listed above aside for a moment. Scientific study after scientific study proves that most of what we think we see is not based in real world observation. Studies state that only 20–40% of what we see is directly observed, the rest is filled in by that giant processor between our ears. The percentage of filling in actually increases in situations of where heavy focus on a major task is required. In other words — we all see things. Just most of us don’t see Christian Slater.
Every time you hear someone note that “ it came out of nowhere” or “I never noticed that before”, it is a reaffirmation of this fact. Analysts need to be considerate of the validity of observational data. It will be biased and the issue is only further complicated when people try to justify what they see or why things happened. We are all victims of personal illusion, clinical diagnosis is completely optional.
Everyone Is Under The Influence
No, not drugs. Think E-Corp. Advertisers, corporations, politician, educators, and anyone trying to sell you something have all been aware for years that people are easily influenced. We are wired that way. When the herd runs, it is best to run, too.
You don’t need nefarious intention to make this dangerous. Most people are influenced just by a yearning to fit in and be happy. Remember, we really only saw a small percentage of what really occurred anyway, our brains are very susceptible to filling in the blanks the way we see others are. After all, maybe they were paying better attention.
Analysts need to recognize that association is a powerful aspect of what we think and what we see. Our minds are heavily influenced by both our history and our environment. Testimonials, surveys, and general feedback will often be biased by these effects.
Dystopia
If the world suddenly seems a bit darker, try to relax. Most of the factors above have both positive and negative impacts on our reality. Influence and observation can both easily push us in either direction. Our personal issues tend to be a little darker, but there is a reason that section makes us uncomfortable. Most of the people you know have learned to hide or compensate for the vast majority of their inner demons.
On average, we are all fairly normal. It is that reality that allows us to make generalized observations and develop a science around individual behavior. It may be that the very existence of society is to compensate for the eccentricities of the individual?
What ever the case may be, keep enjoying Mr Robot for the story it unfolds. But as an analyst, don’t forget its warnings. There is more to every individual story than typical meets the eye.
