Superhero Lessons in Analytics — Ep. XVI
Nonsense & Support — Lessons From The Punisher
Marvel’s The Punisher — which is the full name you will need to find it — was released on Netflix last year. It is the latest offering in a myriad of Punisher titles over the last decade. I have watched most of them, but honestly — I am only two episodes into this series. So I will not talk about themes or quality, recurring plots or anything else in this article. I will simply say that I plan to watch more.
So what inspired this article? Two things really…
NONSENSE
In flashbacks, we learn that Frank Castle told his children a nonsense verse. The verse, at left, is not unique to The Punisher story. It is an historic verse or poem. If this was embedded symbolism, I am not deep enough in to understand it.
It did however, give me a flashback. I have written before on the unusual ability of analysts to pronounce gibberish and nonsense as if it were meaningful in any way. My very first article covered off on some of this. Sadly, analysts rarely include the poetry. Not that rhymes or meter would make analytic nonsense any more meaningful.
Castle’s children laughed, Luke Skywalker did NOT make a cameo, but somewhere deep inside I cringed just a little. In meeting rooms, in hallways, and once or twice, even a boardroom — I have heard far worse. Phrases like — selected random samples, unbiased filtering, an engineered average, and directed data collection sound defensible. Correlated causality, deep outliers, massaged data, and “weighted toward outcomes” are examples of phrases that made no sense what-so-ever. Analytic poetry I suppose. Longer prose has proven even more ponderous but I can no longer quote most of those.
SUPPORT
Another story borrowed in the opening episode of the Punisher is shared under the image on the left. It is the story of the soldier in the hole. It is clearly powerful. It is shared during the support group scene. If you’ll allow me — let me generalize a bit more. Though do learn more about PTSD or donate here.
The analogy of the soldier is important to any type of meaningful support. Especially those associated with behavioral tendencies, thought, and decision-making. So while the show uses it to connect with the concept of PTSD and the mind set of Frank Castle, it does apply to the world of analytics as well.
Analysts too often go around tossing people tools, proverbs, and bad advice. These things are little help to many. If I had a proverbial basis point of every consulting engagement that ended with a jaded, confused, and helpless feeling client… well, actually I’ve captured a solid share. The point being, analysts need to climb in the hole — and clients need to let them!
So while this story is powerful for connecting with PTSD, it is also a powerful and general statement on support. Personal, customized, and meaningful support needs to be provided shoulder to shoulder — shown and taught. Some answers aren’t so easy as a tool or pep talk. Analytics is no exception. It is really more of a poster child.
The dark and gritty reality of the Punisher has some real practical aspects. Certainly relative to a universe full of Superheroes. When an analyst is called in for support, situations can be dire. The truth may or may not need to be taken, but these lessons will prevent your clients from feeling confused, jaded, and helpless. Failure to take these lessons to heart… often ends poorly. Be thankful there is no analytic version of the Punisher. Well… perhaps there is?
Season 1 is available on Netflix. Season 2 is in the works. Perhaps we will return again for inspiration from Frank Castle? For now, analysts would do well to recognize how little value nonsense truly delivers and how personal real support truly is.
For more from this series:
