Introduction to Dataism

Dataism

• Dataism posits the universe consists of data flows, and an entity's value is determined by its contribution to data processing
• It has gained acceptance within the scientific establishment
• Originates from the confluence of two scientific tidal waves
  • Darwin's theory of organisms as biochemical algorithms
  • Turing's concept of the Turing Machine, and the development of electronic algorithms
• Dataism collapses the barrier between animals and machines; expecting electronic algorithms to outperform biochemical ones
• Offers groundbreaking technologies for politicians, businesses, and consumers, as well as promises to unify scientific disciplines
• The stock exchange is the fastest and most efficient data processing system humanity has created
• Data processing considerations explain why capitalists favour lower taxes
• Dataism inverts the traditional pyramid of knowledge; data as the first step rather than the end product of intellectual activity
• Human data processing capacity is inadequate for current data flows. Electronic algorithms are better at managing such flows

Human Data Processing

• Human brains are inadequate for handling current data flows, electronic algorithms are better
• Dataism suggests a shift away from human methods of distilling data to information, and knowledge to wisdom, prioritizing algorithms
• Emphasizes the importance of data collection and processing to understand and improve decision-making in various domains
• Dataism suggests that traditional political structures like capitalism and communism are better understood as data processing systems
• Distributed processing (capitalism) vs. centralised processing (communism)
• Free markets facilitate fast data processing and individual decision-making

Political Implications

• Dataism interprets human political structures as data-processing systems, implying that democracies and dictatorships compete for data analysis
• In conditions of accelerating technological change, distributed processing underpins the success of democracy
• The increasing speed and volume of data may render traditional political institutions (like elections, parties, and parliaments) obsolete
• Cyber-space is becoming more critical to daily life, economy, and security
• The rise of the internet and digital technology, changes the way humans process and handle data

Importance of Data

• Data is now seen as having fundamental value, not just as initial raw input in the process of generating knowledge
• Data processing is important for decision making, and is often crucial to political processes, and many other important aspects of a society
• Information should be made free to maximize its value
• Access to distributed data processing is essential for progress and understanding
• Data processing is a continuous process of collecting, using, and interpreting information
• Humans can create new data flows

Dataism's Vision of the Future

• The future will be a data-centric world, with humans as chips in a giant data processing system
• Humans will integrate with the global data network, becoming part of a cosmic data processing system
• Humans may become irrelevant in a data-dominated world; data processing structures might replace humans in most traditional roles