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Living in Data Paperback – August 30, 2022

by Jer Thorp (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 84 ratings
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Jer Thorp’s analysis of the word “data” in 10,325 New York Times stories written between 1984 and 2018 shows a distinct trend: among the words most closely associated with “data,” we find not only its classic companions “information” and “digital,” but also a variety of new neighbors―from “scandal” and “misinformation” to “ethics,” “friends,” and “play.”

To live in data in the twenty-first century is to be incessantly extracted from, classified and categorized, statistic-ified, sold, and surveilled. Data―our data―is mined and processed for profit, power, and political gain. In Living in Data, Thorp asks a crucial question for our time: How do we stop passively inhabiting data, and instead become active citizens of it?

Threading a data story through hippo attacks, glaciers, and school gymnasiums, around colossal rice piles, and over active minefields, Jer Thorp reminds us that the future of data is still wide open, that there are ways to transcend facts and figures to engage more viscerally with data, and that there are always new stories to be told about how data can be used.

Punctuated with Thorp’s original and informative illustrations, Living in Data not only redefines what data is, but also reimagines who gets to speak its language and how to use its power to create a more just and democratic future. Timely and inspiring, Living in Data gives us a much-needed path forward.

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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Picador Paper
  4. Publication date
    August 30, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    5.38 x 0.76 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1250849152
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1250849151
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From the Publisher

Praise for Living in Data: A Citizen's Guide to a Better Information Future by Jer Thorp

Living in Data Jer Thorp Stewart Butterfield quote

Living in Data Jer Thorp Anil Dash quote

Living in Data Jer Thorp Paola Antonelli quote

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A nonlinear and stunningly illustrated book, Living In Data never tries to wrap things up neatly for the reader. The book is a complicated, iterative experience of how to truly grapple with the complexities and intricacies of data. . . Living In Data is an essential text, one that requires readers to think ― and to think specifically and carefully about the consequences of data decisions."
―Lydia Pyne, Hyperallergic

"If Annie Dillard wrote about data, it might sound something like this. In turns insightful, hilarious, techy and humane, Living in Data is an essential book for anyone who’s wondering how exactly we got into this data mess, and thinking about how we might dig ourselves out.”
―Stewart Butterfield, CEO of Slack

"Elbow-deep in data day in and day out, Jer Thorp has learned to feel every vibration. He would like the rest of us to do the same, instead of accepting them at face value––or worse, using them as shields from reality. Living in Data offers no easy fix. Rather, it shows that the potential for change lies within us: in our human, fallible, hopeful minds.”
―Paola Antonelli, senior curator of Architecture and Design at MoMA

“We hear every day how data is affecting our world. But Living in Data is the first time we can really feel it. In this book, Jer Thorp has the technical expertise of a coder but the soul of a storyteller, and the result is a highly accessible, even stirring, view into the often-invisible systems that shape our lives.”
―Anil Dash, CEO of Glitch

About the Author

Jer Thorp is an artist, a writer, and a teacher. He was the first data artist in residence at The New York Times, he is a National Geographic Explorer, and he served as the innovator in residence at the Library of Congress in 2017 and 2018. He lives under the Manhattan Bridge with his family and his awesome dog, Trapper John, MD. Living in Data is his first book.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Picador Paper
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 30, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250849152
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250849151
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.38 x 0.76 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 84 ratings

About the author

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Jer Thorp

Jer Thorp

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Jer Thorp is an artist, writer and teacher living in New York City. He is best known for designing the algorithm to place the nearly 3,000 names on the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan. Jer was the New York Times' first Data Artist in Residence, is a National Geographic Explorer, and in 2017 and 2018 served as the Innovator in Residence at the Library of Congress. Jer is one of the world's foremost data artists, and is a leading voice for the ethical use of big data.

Jer’s data-inspired artwork has been shown around the world, including most recently in New York’s Times Square, at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, at the Ars Electronica Center in Austria, and at the National Seoul Museum in Korea. His work has also appeared in a wide variety of publications, including Scientific American, The New Yorker, Popular Science, Fast Company, Business Week, Popular Science, Discover, WIRED and The Harvard Business Review.

Jer’s talks on TED.com have been watched by more than a half-million people. He is a frequent speaker at high profile events such as PopTech, and The Aspen Ideas Festival. Recently, he has spoken about his work at MIT’s Media Lab, The American Museum of Natural History, MoMA, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena.

Jer is a Rockefeller Foundation Fellow, and an alumnus of the World Economic Foundation’s Global Agenda Council on Design and Innovation. He is an adjunct Professor in New York University’s renowned Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), and is the Co-Founder of The Office for Creative Research. In 2015, Canadian Geographic named Jer one of Canada’s Greatest Explorers.

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4.5 out of 5 stars
84 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Justine W.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and brings some humanity to data science
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Had to read this book for class but really enjoyed it. It's insightful and brings humanity into the world of data, which is something we need more of. Will definitely do a re-read soon!
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  • J_
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, thought-provoking book that's accessible to non-tech readers
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I'm reading this book as part of a small book club that got started at my job after we watched the film "Coded Bias". It's been wonderful going through this book chapter-by-chapter with other people. Even when I think I've gotten a ton out of each example that Jer gives, talking to others about it gives me even more to meaning to pull out of Jer's writing.

    If you have an interest in tech, privacy, data, or even just how our daily lives are shaped by what other people and companies do with our data, I highly recommend this book. You don't have to have a background in data or even tech. The book is easy to read, highly engaging, and hard to put down.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Luis Orellana
    5.0 out of 5 stars My best of 2022
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2022
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This book really put in context how data is obtained and managed, it helped me see how much a human act is data collecting and analysis.
    Also I'm really grateful as it reignited my love for doing data visualization, as I had been too caught up with constrains after reading too much about rules and best practices the last couple years.

    Totally recommend it, independent of youy background, as it is written in a very fluid and fun way.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Karim
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great storytelling
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2021
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Such a great read . It is so much more than what you expect . The voice and storytelling is great. It feels like you have the privilege of spending the day with someone who is remarkable at their job and is a striking thinker.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Frank Ronson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I could give 6 stars
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2022
    Format: Kindle
    Jer Thorp has written a fantastic book, opening new lines of inquiry that are barely explored by others. Every data scientist should be exposed to these principles. Data has context, visualizations are not neutral, who should be engaged in data work, wandering is good, data as a verb, the importance of datasets that should exist but don't, the story of the 9/11 memorial names placement, etc. It's wonderful to read as a journey, to provide shape and color around the ideas. Thank you, Jer Thorp!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Steven Grubbs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Our relationship with data
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021
    Format: Hardcover
    What a great book. Very informative and well written book. Jer Thorp is great author. Though stories and insights you gradually realize the title and focus of this book. What a brilliant book full of personality. I enjoyed learning about Jer Thorp's career as a writer, teacher and artist and figuring out the interesting questions to explore. A must read. I am giving this to my daughter who is in college. I think it will peak her interest. Waiting for your next great book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Patrick
    3.0 out of 5 stars I'm finding it difficult to get going in but it has a certain genesequa
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2022
    Format: Audible Audiobook
    It's not fully coherent
    One person found this helpful
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  • G
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Guide For Better Information Futures
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2021
    Format: Kindle
    I came to Living in Data as practitioner who has grown increasingly disenchanted with the fields of data science and machine learning, to the point of wondering whether I should leave them altogether. Thorp‘s book gave me some hope that there indeed are other achievable, more humane, and less harmful ways of living in data that are worth fighting for.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Carole Guevin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not what i expected.. better?
    Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2022
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Obviously the author has spent a number of years compiling the data and as he is also working in the realm--honestly thought his conclusions would be different. The introduction is probably essential as to why he is pursuing writing about his research.. it's just too long and somewhat boring.

    Author is a high caliber intellectual and his choice of words erudite (so book not for casual readers). I admire his intensity and dedication to his position coming up with really good ideas.. Unfortunately--I doubt these will ever be largely implemented.. Too bad for us? I can't tell.
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