More than 300 years ago, Isaac Newton created a mathematical model of the solar system that predicted the existence of a yet unknown planet: Neptune. Today, driven by the digital revolution, modern scientists are creating complex models of society itself to shed light on topics as far-ranging as epidemic outbreaks and economic growth. But how do these scientists gather and interpret their data? How accurate are their models? Can we trust the numbers?

With a rare background in physics, economics and sociology, the author is able to present an insider’s view of the strengths, weaknesses and dangers of transforming our lives into numbers. After reading this book, you’ll understand how different numerical models work and how they are used in practice. The author begins by exploring several simple, easy-to-understand models that form the basis for more complex simulations. What follows is an exploration of the myriad ways that models have come to describe and define our world, from epidemiology and climate change to urban planning and the world chess championship.

Highly engaging and nontechnical, this book will appeal to any readers interested in understanding the links between data and society and how our lives are being increasingly captured in numbers.

social physics
big data
digital revolution
data and society
social philosophy
complex systems
numerical models

• Front Matter
• Front Matter
• Three Simple Models
• What Can Be Learnt from Simple Models?
• Reality Check for Simple Models
• A Physical Simple Model
• What Are Simple Models Worth For?
• Complexity: Step by Step
• Complex Models to Understand Complex Social Situations
• Modelling Epidemics
• Why Weather/Climate Forecasts Can Be Trusted
• We Are Not Social Atoms
• Social Data Are Soaked by Social Complexity
• Machines that Learn How to Model
• Starting from Data to Hunt Causes
• A Moral Thermometer?
• Where Do Indicators Lead Us?
• Which Numbers for the Future?
• Conclusion
• Back Matter

CNRS, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon and IXXI, Lyon, France
Pablo Jensen

Book Title
Your Life in Numbers: Modeling Society Through Data

Authors
Pablo Jensen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65103-9

Softcover ISBN
978-3-030-65102-2
Published: 04 May 2021

eBook ISBN
978-3-030-65103-9
Published: 03 May 2021

Edition Number
1

Number of Pages
VII, 114

Number of Illustrations
6 b/w illustrations, 10 illustrations in colour

Topics
Complex Systems, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, multidisciplinary, Simulation and Modeling, Philosophy of Science, Social Philosophy, Methodology of the Social Sciences