'Dataclysm': Christian Rudder says online Big Data changing history
It's remarkable just how much of our lives are lived on-line today. It's become second nature.
But what we might not realize in our daily on-line lives, is that every time we follow a link, "like" something on Facebook, or put something in our virtual shopping cart ... it's like we're leaving bread crumbs along a forest path.
"Anything you do on a website, whether it's clicking on a link, typing into a text form, going from one page to another... is stored." - Christian Rudder, co-founder of OK Cupid
The trail of our data is long, and detailed... and there are no birds flying in to clean it up. Instead, that messy trail is there just waiting to provide clues to anyone inclined to look.
Christian Rudder has just that kind of inclination. He's co-founder and president of OK Cupid - an online dating site. And he's written a book called Dataclysm: Who We Are (When We Think No One's Looking).
Christian Rudder joined Anna Maria Tremonti in Toronto last September.
What do you think? Is all this data contributing to a more democratic view of history? Or are you worried about information collected about you?
Tweet us @thecurrentcbc. Post on Facebook. Or email us through our website.
This segment was produced by The Current's Liz Hoath.
RELATED LINKS
♦ Make Me A Match - The New Yorker
♦ Christian Rudder on "Dataclysm"& Analytics - Big Think
♦ We Experiment On Human Beings! - OK Cupid