Random Thoughts on Data Visualization

Ahh, the semantic web. Artificial intelligence – a seemingly oxymoronic term in its own right - sheds its artifice. Neon representations of thoughts and feelings reveal a true character of sorts. Us.

What will become of us? What forms will we take on? Why will we take them on?

Live our minds, be our word. If we can’t be omnipresent (at least physically), we can be omnilingual (just ask H. Beam Piper). Add pictures to the words and the sentiment becomes more real.

The spiritual self was quiet... Until now. Emotion is loud. We’ve always known this. But the spirit has its own voice in being visual.

We can replace numbers, or at least color them, with symbols. Quantifiable measures incite fear. They impose expectation. Symbols can assuage.

There is sound in silence. It’s strange to listen to your own mind, especially when you defeat the noise.

The power is in being. Simply say “I am”, and you are. Call yourself into existence.

Remember this: when the lights go out and the screens switch off, what will you envision in your own mind?

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Gunther Sonnenfeld

Gunther Sonnenfeld

I am a long-time serial entrepreneur and a social technologist whose last executive role was as an ad agency strategist (Omnicom Group). My career began as a broadcast writer/producer/director (NBC) before transitioning into commercials, film and then software development, interactive design, branded content, and more recently, analytics.

My view of creativity - vocationally and philosophically - has evolved radically over time; numbers or algorithms can be as illustrative as the media we place, or the stories we choose to tell. I now advise and work with several start-up, middle-stage and Fortune 500 companies through my think tank and my brand intelligence platform, Heardable. I am also an angel investor, a mentor in the K5 Ventures accelerator program, and an award-winning, multi-platform storyteller.

I believe that data + storytelling are changing businesses, brands and culture in the 21st century for the better. My provocations here detail some of the ways in which this paradigm shift is happening. Check out the links for more background on me and my work. More importantly, have fun and stay curious!

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