Big Data: 5 of the Best Infographics

Everyone’s talking about “big data.”  So what is it? And why do we care?

What is Big Data?

Big data is a term for collections of large, complex information.  The collection of this data is used  to predict, monitor and improve everything from healthcare (Dell) to manufacturing (GE) to national security (NSA).

Of course with access to this data, brings up the obvious questions about privacy.  How much of the data that is available should companies have access to and for the purposes of what?  Most people don’t have the slightest clue of just how their personal information is being accessed, shared and used.  For instance, our Facebook profiles are fully accessible to the public, Google is recording everything, and NSA has the ability to monitor many of our phone calls.

Some companies are using big data to better our world.  However, not everyone has the best intentions when provided access to information.

Number Two: Why not use your knowledge of the future to play the stock markets? We could make trillions.
Dr. Evil: Why make a trillion when we could make… billions?
Scott: A trillion’s more than a billion, numbnuts.

Of course, there are many ways that big data is being used other than saving or sabotaging the universe.

Here are 5 of our favorite infographics that visually explain big data in our world of gaming and social media.

#1 – Call of Duty: By The Numbers

Source: Activision 

#2 – Happy 10th Birthday Facebook!

Source:  International Business Times

#3 – Twitter Flu Tracker

Source:  Visual.ly, designed by Chris Cantey 

#4 – Apple in 2013

Click on Image to Zoom

Source: Cult of Mac, designed by Kevin Choi

#5 – Angry Birds

Source: PocketGamer.biz

 

What is your favorite big data infographic? Tell us in the comments below.