[homework] Reading & experience report

[shailaja-mahara]

Asking

• [x] Ask ChatGPT for help completing this homework

Feeling, Writing, Thinking

• [x] Post an experience report (a paragraph or several) as a comment on this issue. This experience report should convey what motivates you to understand and practice data thinking. An experience report may describe a collection of experiences (which may or may not relate to data), and some questions to consider may be helpful: What were you or those involved feeling? Doing? Thinking? Asking? Where were they? What systems were involved, if any? Who would you want to better understand the incentives at play?
  • if you are stuck, ask for help on Zulip, come to office hours, make a plan of tasks to do and ask for feedback on the plan
  • try using dictation on iPhone, Android, computer, and ask ChatGPT to summarize it
  • ask Lex for ideas or ChatGPT for ideas
  • edit using https://hemingwayapp.com/, Grammarly, or any other tool to help
  • read the below articles for ideas

Doing

• [x] Review the first class: https://panopto.ut.ee/Panopto/Pages/Sessions/List.aspx?folderID=43bb180c-79a6-4324-b055-afa400ecd1a0 - ask on Zulip if you can't access this
• [x] Review the Figma whiteboard from the first class: https://www.figma.com/file/SsoNLhaZwnSGkADd4eS0D8/230220-introduction?node-id=0%3A1&t=jR2hISrDchAPapYR-1
• [x] Create a LinkedIn profile. (If you are not comfortable using your real name, feel free to use a fake name + email)
• [x] Post your LinkedIn profile on Zulip -- Zulip is open source and enables us to analyze our chat messages with natural language processing tools such as ChatGPT, which we will do later in the course!
• [x] Read https://matt.might.net/articles/how-to-email/ to understand principles of communication over email or Zulip
• [x] Read parts of the Mailchimp Style Guide (https://styleguide.mailchimp.com/voice-and-tone/ or https://styleguide.mailchimp.com/writing-principles/) to understand how written communication can be guided by principles
• [x] Read https://georgesaunders.substack.com/p/on-worry to understand a professional writer's perspective on writing.
• [x] Read https://every.to/chain-of-thought/writing-essays-with-ai-a-guide to understand how to use voice recording, dictation on your smartphone or computer, and ChatGPT, and Lex to help you write
• [x] Read https://simonwillison.net/2022/Dec/5/rust-chatgpt-copilot/ to understand how ChatGPT and CoPilot can help you learn data thinking, programming, and statistics skills
• [x] Read http://web.archive.org/web/20170208134519/http://storyshots.tumblr.com/post/25032057278/22-storybasics-ive-picked-up-in-my-time-at-pixar -- especially the "Once upon a time" story telling framework Pixar used for its movies.
• [x] Read https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/the-dubious-rise-of-impostor-syndrome to help understand concepts that can increase our psychological safety and trust in class and how asking ChatGPT can help reduce our fear of asking for help when stuck.
• [x] Read https://jaan.io/my-friend-radicalized-this-made-me-rethink-how-i-build-AI/ to learn about my journey in understanding the incentives that can affect our thoughts, feelings, and actions in society and the incentives that affect how AI such as ChatGPT is built.

Programming & Infrastructure

• [x] Create a GitHub Codespace using the data thinking template here (from https://github.com/onefact/datathinking.org-codespace)
• [x] Send a screenshot to Zulip of a plot you made in the GitHub codespace (of any dataset or data you generated as in the live coding demo from the first lecture; ask for help if this is unclear)
• [x] Sign up for Lex - message Jaan on Zulip for an invite code
• [x] Sign up for Figma as a student (https://www.figma.com/education/students/)
• [x] Install copyq on Windows Powershell or Linux using Chocolatey, or install Maccy on Mac using Homebrew. This will save you a lot of time throughout the class as you copy and paste things from ChatGPT!

[shailaja-mahara]

Experience Report

In my journey of understanding and practicing data thinking, I have been driven by a combination of curiosity, a desire for efficiency, and the need to make informed decisions. The realization that data has become an integral part of our lives and has the potential to transform the way we operate has been a compelling motivator.

Feeling the shift in what is considered "valuable," I observed how data-driven insights are reshaping industries and challenging traditional approaches. This realization sparked a sense of excitement and a hunger to explore the possibilities that data thinking could unlock.

As I delved into the world of data, I began to witness its impact on various aspects of life. From realizing how reading has become easier with the availability of vast digital libraries to recognizing the potential to automate administrative roles and even replace certain customer service functions, the possibilities seemed endless.

My thoughts were consumed with questions about the reach of my own capabilities. Could I leverage data thinking to enhance my skills and achieve what was once considered beyond my grasp? This mindset pushed me to explore avenues where data could play a transformative role.

In my pursuit of data thinking, I actively engaged in activities that aligned with this mindset. I experimented with writing, leveraging tools that transformed voice notes into coherent paragraphs, reducing distractions, and increasing efficiency. The experience was eye-opening, allowing me to produce written work faster and with fewer hindrances.

Furthermore, I adopted data thinking in my academic endeavors. By starting with summarizing key concepts and leveraging data to support my arguments, I found my productivity and motivation skyrocketing. Embracing data thinking also encouraged me to think outside the box and be more creative in my approach.

Surprisingly, while data thinking improved my productivity and approach, it did not eradicate my imposter syndrome entirely. However, it did provide me with the necessary tools to overcome the paralysis that often accompanied those feelings of self-doubt.

Throughout this journey, I realized the importance of understanding the incentives at play. Data thinking not only empowers individuals but also influences systems and organizations. By better understanding the motivations behind the integration of data-driven approaches, I can navigate this landscape more effectively and make informed decisions regarding its implementation.

In conclusion, my motivation to understand and practice data thinking stems from the recognition of its transformative potential. By embracing data as a valuable resource, I have experienced increased efficiency, improved decision-making, and a fresh perspective on problem-solving. This journey has fueled my curiosity and equipped me with the skills necessary to thrive in our data-driven world.