We are at the beginning of what I call The Industrial Revolution of Data.

From the archive:

The Industrial Revolution wasn't all steam engines and textile mills. Beer production increased exponentially, as well.

Also:

Albert Einstein achieved scientific fame by asking questions and solving problems that nobody else had realized were problems.

The next big revolution will probably also come from an unexpected direction.

In 2005, Decius wrote:

Any student of Chinese history will tell you that when ignorance gives way to hubris you're one step away from a revolution.

Finally:

Edward Burtynsky is internationally acclaimed for his large-scale photographs of nature transformed by industry. Manufactured Landscapes – a stunning documentary by award winning director Jennifer Baichwal – follows Burtynsky to China, as he captures the effects of the country’s massive industrial revolution. This remarkable film leads us to meditate on human endeavour and its impact on the planet.

The Commoditization of Massive Data Analysis