Big data is dead. Long live fake big data!

And why that’s a good thing, if it’s done right

Fake data will become more and more common — and useful. Image by author

Life on earth is getting more and more fake. Real images are becoming photoshopped. Real human interactions have been replaced by faces on screens during the pandemic — faces of people who might not have been wearing pants during the call. Now, it seems, even our precious data is getting replaced by fakes.

Philosophers argue to and fro why this is morally wrong and why this will destroy human society. Historians remind us of the 2016 U.S. election and explain how fake news is the source of all evil. Your mom reminds you how you’re confusing the fake world of your video games with reality, which will inevitably turn you into a serial killer.

Human society isn’t doing well, and fake news is shitty, and… ok, no, I really don’t think you’re going to start a career as a serial killer.

The point is, there are many bad things in the world today. But it wasn’t better in the past. Really not.

Fake things are getting more all the time. And all this time, the world has actually gotten better. Sometimes despite the fake images, fake human interactions, fake video landscapes. Other times because of the fakes.