When media first started going digital, journalists feared that they would be judged by the numbers, rather than on the mastery of their craft.  To a large extent, that actually happened, but it wasn’t so bad after all.  Most were able to adjust.

So there was no small amount of irony surrounding the recent high profile negotiations between ESPN and The New York Times over the services of Nate Silver. The stakes were enormous, as Mr. Silver accounted for as much as 20% of the Grey Lady’s web traffic.

Math, it seems, has become more than a means to evaluate, but journalism itself.  Whereas before, a reporter’s main tools were sources and shoe leather, now algorithms are on the job too.  Most of all, Nate Silver is a sign of the zeitgeist.  In this new age of big data, math is no longer an ancillary activity, but plays a central role in helping organizations compete.

Related Posts