The biggest byproduct of the world economy? Data. This makes it difficult to overlook the implications complex mathematical models have on being an effective marketer. The Numerati, by Stephen Baker, demonstrates the influences that powerful processors and piles of data have on understanding — and leveraging — human behavior in a data-driven society.

Less than a decade ago, people were uncomfortable sharing basic contact information. Today, via Google, Facebook, and other social networks, there are boundless levels of personal information available freely available on most individuals: who they are; what they like; and how they behave.  Until recently, however, the ability to mine these ‘data piles’ for meaningful insights has been limited.

No longer.

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