Data can tell stories that transform our lives and our world.
Data Can Tell Stories That Transforms Lives
Data analytics touch our lives every day. Consider:
- A call from your bank warning of a suspicious transaction.
- A well-timed discounted offer for something you need.
Most people realize that data and analytics are behind these things, but they remain on the periphery of mainstream conversations. We need to change that.
Does data drive our conversations?
For instance, if we’re going to have a discussion about migrants in our country (at a party, on social media or at the United Nations), wouldn’t it be helpful to have actual data on migrants’ countries of origin? And how many are seasonal workers versus those with specialty skills that fuel innovation in our technology companies?
If we are going to talk about clean water, wouldn’t it be helpful to know how much clean water per capita is currently available in your country? And how much that has changed in the last 5-10 years?
Data visualization demonstrates that while the percentage of people with access to clean water is increasing, the amount of clean water per person is actually decreasing. [Click to enlarge]
A podcast that inspires data-driven conversations
At SAS, we want to inspire more data-driven conversations. We want to fuel the curiosities of passionate people on the issues most important to them. That’s why, throughout 2018, SAS will be the official analytics provider for Global GoalsCast, a podcast series based on the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals to transform our world by 2030.
As part of the sponsorship, we’re providing data visualizations and other images about critical humanitarian issues such as climate change, hunger, migration and clean water so that anyone – especially non-data experts – can easily grasp the depth of these issues. And while visualizations are helpful in telling the stories through the data, we are taking it a step further. We’re also encouraging listeners to explore and share data on important causes through our crowd sourcing app, GatherIQ. We want people to actively engage in the stories of global change instead of just listening to them.