Data
analytics is the most current issue that is gripping the world in all what it
does, what it does not do and what it ought to do - all about handling Data and
Artificial Intelligence. Cloud computing, data analytics, data mining, AI and
dash board are some of the “hot” areas expected to drive businesses, science
and technology, social issues, climate change, international relations, trade,
war and peace, space exploration and plain entertainment, among others, in this
century. Most of us remain oblivious to the technical aspects of voluminous
data storage, data mining, data analytics and AI and are interested only in the
output – statistical or predictive.
The practice
of data management has been in existence since earliest lifeforms inhabited
this Earth. The most primitive data storage, brain, and processor intelligence are
as old as it can get. For millions of years people stored information in a
single place – their brain. Unfortunately, the human brain was found not large
enough to store the data of, say, a village, a town, a ship, a Nation; various
types of logs, registers and such records were invented to store large amount
of data, outside the brain, for processing as required. Technology has
leapfrogged and now we have all sorts of media where large amount of data can
be stored and retrieved relatively easily.
The
amount of data that can be stored in a brain varies from person to person,
depending on immeasurable such as memory power and intelligence et al… In ants
and bees, for instance, the resilience comes from the data/information needed
to sustain them that is encoded in their genome. Unfortunately, man has to retrieve
and process data from memory to coordinate his actions. This mandates a high
quality and integrity of data stored in the brain. The quality and integrity of
this data is important to get the correct output. Memories and accelerators
like interests, passion, processes and motivators that lead to actions, all
reside within the brain in the unconscious, subconscious or conscious state. The
data in each of these layers is variously used during our routine activities
and inactivity. The actions are initiated by a trigger, an external event. The
quality of the output I dependent on the level on intelligence which resides in
the uppermost layer, consciousness. Here too, the adage “Garbage in Garbage
out” is relevant.
In the normal
course, we do not bother to arrange our data storage for optimum use. We do not
find time to do that. Often, we are forced to repair data of the storage devises
attached to our computer. In the digital world, cloud computing has taken data analytics
to a different level. We humans (animals) do not have the luxury of “Cloud”
computing while still in this world. Our onboard computer (brain) also requires
periodic maintenance. THIS is the opportunity of a life time to realign our
brain, so to speak.
1. Scan for viruses
2. Repair bad sectors.
3. Rearrange Data into appropriate
“compartments” / sectors.
4. Delete unwanted and corrupt
data
5. Zip your data to create more
storage. Zipped data can be retrieved on as required basis, using immediate
triggers – like using old acquaintances for recalling events when you meet them
I have
found simple ways to store and handle data in my brain (physically everyone
has one). Some rules:
1. Use firewalls to protect
contamination of data: for eg. Do not discuss matters on Social media…use the
platform only for communication and entertainment.
2. Avoid listening to prime-time
TV; they are known to carry very damaging viruses
3. Put in checks to validate data received
before adding to storage.
4. Use codes to retrieve and
process data – e.g. My code when I step out of the house is 5: car keys,
wallet, phone, sun glasses, house keys. As I step out, I count from 1 to 5.
Storing and processing numbers is easier, occupies less space and more
efficient than processing letters and strings.
The list is not exhaustive; you
may add more ways…