Why Data Don’t Have All the Answers
In this episode of Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, Adam speaks with Andrea Jones-Rooy, a data scientist who’s skeptical about data (as well as a comedian) about the perks and perils of sharing data on social media, the similarities between the scientific method and comedy, and the value of adding an air of mystery to the way we communicate discoveries.
Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist who studies work motivation, job design, and prosocial and proactive behaviors. His research examines the forces that motivate employees to help others, and the implications of these behaviors for success and well-being. Although many employees do work that has a meaningful impact on others, all too often, they lack a vivid understanding of how their efforts make a difference. Grant’s studies demonstrate that employees work harder, smarter, longer, more generously, and more productively when they can see how their work affects others. He is the author, most recently, of Think Again among others.
Andrea Jones-Rooy is a social scientist specializing in complexity. She has written a book and several research papers on complex systems, and regularly contributes articles to media outlets on complexity—plus data science, international relations, diversity, and uncertainty. She is also a standup comedian and circus performer. She’ll do whatever it takes to get people to pay attention to social science & complexity. She earned her Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
