The Consequences Of Weaponizing Data & Analytics
Explained With The Help Of An Episode of Rick & Morty
It is a story that has played a thousand times before. No, not a purge. Although it isn’t that far off. It is a situation where superior technology combined with an exception or temporary loosening of the rules results in a blood bath (thankfully not literally).
In “Look Who’s Purging Now”, episode 9 of Rick & Morty’s second season, our master scientist and his side-kick find themselves stopping in on a planet that practices a version of “The Purge”. If you are somehow not familiar with that concept — let Rick explain.
You’ve been able to sustain world peace because you have one night a year where you all run around robbing and murdering each other without consequence.
In typical Roiland & Harmon fashion, they add a twist. What may not be so obvious is that in making that adjustment, Roiland & Harmon actually create a near perfect analogy for how data & analytics is often weaponized. It is a story that touches on impatience with the system, boring storytelling, frustration, technology, and a little moral ambiguity.
I feel like, you know, we should start our stories where they begin…
There is nothing worse than a boring story, although Morty seems to take issue with those that are out of order. Perhaps he won’t like this one…
The storytelling sideline of this episode is an interesting add. I have never interviewed the writers, so I can only speculate at the choice. What I do know is that storytelling is the perfect start to an article on the weaponization of data & analytics. So the inclusion is either genius or damn lucky. I am okay with either.
I don’t think Morty would be a big fan of “Answer First” presentations. He really seems to be set off by broken time series. I suppose it is all that repressed rage.
Storytelling is the secret to persuasion within almost any social context. Within a business or any other organization that can generate money or power, a great story can generate out-sized rewards. A boring story, on the other hand, is just a waste of time and a source of frustration.
A great storyteller has an advantage. Groups of people with a common story do, too. But one other thing can create a truly powerful story — technology in the form of data & analytics.
It’s sort of the socio-political equivalent of, say, a suit of power armor around you.
The episode actually goes on to give us numerous perspectives on this. When you are out numbered, a story that includes data & analytics can save the day. It can also create instant accountability. It is hard to argue when the numbers say otherwise.
It is also harder to argue when only one side has the numbers. Often, those situations quickly get out of hand. What starts out as defensive, soon becomes opportunistic and then exploitative. Sometimes the other side is able to rally their own data & technology. Other times, like our episode of R&M things get ugly. There is never a guarantee that one-side is going to keep with the same story. Data & analytics empower those who have it to craft any number of stories. Infighting is always a concern.
Like any other weapon, data & analytics is a source of power and leverage. What that power is used for is in the hands of the those that wield it. It can become destructive, seductive, overwhelming, or save the day (it isn’t always dark… I mean Rick & Morty is, but plenty of data & analytics empowers better decision-making and real learning). Like our episode, experience most often wins over anger and frustration. But it is a delicate dance…
The power of data & analytics is it ability to present real facts, figures, and truths. But like any source of power, it is easily corruptible. Like any source of power, if concentrated — things get out of balance easily. Experience and principle are the best protection. Even then, things can get ambiguous.
At the end of the episode, Rick tells Morty that the candy bar he gave him earlier contained Purgenol. He provides Morty with causal “proof” that the crazy behavior was not really Morty’s fault. Humans are always trying to prove causality and justify their biases. Data weaponization only exaggerates that. Rick, at least, is attempting to help his young grandson. If only the data actually supported Rick’s claim — but then Morty will never know. Of course, if he ever finds out — it will be a real Mind Blower.
Thanks for reading.
For more analytics from Rick & Morty consider:
