I think that the precise measurement of multiple metrics as to the impact of exercise on both health and longevity may become one of the greatest blessings of "big data." The more data the merrier, if only the analysis is through and unbiased. The world could use that. We have plenty of calories for input and plenty of possible metrics on caloric output for the human body; the data just need to be conveniently and better measured, than analyzed well.
And while 'data' has apparently become universally accepted as a singular noun, I think that remembering and using 'data' as a plural noun greatly reinforces the idea that the data can consist of billions of discrete, analyzable items rather than view data as an indiscrete blob of a collective noun. Plus this exchange helps to remind people of the significant difference between "discrete" and "discreet". :)
I think that the precise measurement of multiple metrics as to the impact of exercise on both health and longevity may become one of the greatest blessings of "big data." The more data the merrier, if only the analysis is through and unbiased. The world could use that. We have plenty of calories for input and plenty of possible metrics on caloric output for the human body; the data just need to be conveniently and better measured, than analyzed well.
And while 'data' has apparently become universally accepted as a singular noun, I think that remembering and using 'data' as a plural noun greatly reinforces the idea that the data can consist of billions of discrete, analyzable items rather than view data as an indiscrete blob of a collective noun. Plus this exchange helps to remind people of the significant difference between "discrete" and "discreet". :)