They've Got Your Number: Data, Digits and Destiny - Softcover

Stephen Baker

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099507021 ISBN 13: 9780099507024

Publisher: Vintage Books USA, 2009

Synopsis

In a world teeming with data, we ourselves become the maths gurus' most prized specimens. In "They've Got Your Number", Stephen Baker takes us on a guided tour (no maths required) through an unprecedented new era, in which mathematicians are starting to map individual human behaviour - what we do, who we are, how we work, chat, play and shop - and in doing so, will change every aspect of our lives. "They've Got Your Number" is a book about one of the great undertakings of the twenty-first century - the mathematical modelling of humanity. Much in the same way as neuroscientists are mapping our brains, the Numerati are mapping our behaviour - everything that makes us individuals. Stephen Baker navigates us through a world that otherwise might seem remote or disconnected, but one which is absolutely relevant to our everyday lives.

About this title

About the Author

Stephen Baker began covering technology for BusinessWeek as Paris-based European correspondent 1998. He moved to New York in 2002 as acting senior editor for info tech, and is now a senior writer. He is a leader in new media at BusinessWeek and coauthor of Blogspotting.net, a blog featured as one of the 50 blogs to watch by The New York Times.

Review

"Baker puts his finger on perhaps the most important cultural trend today: the explosion of data about every aspect of our world and the rise of applied math gurus who know how to use it. Baker's smart, readable style makes this a pleasure... it's a must read for anyone who wants to understand life and business in the Google Age" -- Chris Anderson, author of The Long Tail "Baker knows his stuff and he knows his subjects" * Sunday Times * "Strikingly well-argued" * Daily Telegraph * "Baker is telling us about a phenomenon that is important and often overlooked... urgent and exciting...This book won't make you an expert on how the mathematicians do their tricks, but it will make you more aware of the implications" -- Marcus du Sautoy * Observer * "A creepy and revelatory examination of the secret pressures on our lives and psyches, and how we are unwitting accomplices to this process" -- Colin Waters * Sunday Herald *

Edition details

• Publisher: Vintage Books USA
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0099507021
• ISBN 13: 9780099507024
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256