[afrancis]

A problem I found with article is the talk of opacity of statistics techniques in the guise of "big data" used in social media corporations. Statistics used by individuals and companies is nothing new. As a counter-example, I feel the public has greatly benefited from statistics in the form of quality management embedded in the proprietary processes of manufacturing and large service corporations. Stuff like TQM allow us to take for granted so many things. I think the issues revolve around who owns and gets access to large data sets, mathematical literacy and the morality/ethics of various players.

[jessaustin]

Perhaps from a moral perspective, statistics about inanimate matter like TQM are better than statistics about people? It's somewhat reminiscent of the Second Formulation of the Categorical Imperative, anyway.