How many likes? Friends? Retweets? Endorsements? Visits?
Gigabites?Destinations? Days? The measurement has moved from ‘how much’ to
‘how many’. And the numerical results presents large emotional value.
Affection, appreciation, respect from others and reflection of personal
existence.

Numbers have always provided guidance and direction. Mainly this was
monetary driven – ‘follow the money’ was always a motto for assurance and
growth. Money still matters. Money is crucial. Money makes the world turn.
However it’s not front and center anymore. And interesting enough this is
not only for the above upper middle class, but it is a phenomenon across
classes.

The Chinese for ages saw deeper meaning in numbers. But it is only after
the flower power days and the seventies oil crisis that a more rational
look at matters increased the attention for numbers. And it was the binary
tech developments which catapulted it in the hemisphere of today. Dumbing
and simplifying our lifeline back to just ones and zeros shows how small
and large we humans are at the same time.

Data is king today. And data wizards are the new weapons of power. Foremost
the ones who master predictive modelling. These seemingly boring experts
soon can tell you how you are doing without you knowing it yourself. Soon
you will receive a text while sitting in a bar telling that the blond
walking in in 2 min. can increase your life happiness by 25%. Whether you
now are in a relationship or not.

Also predicting life expectancy will be more and more accurate – to a level
that last supper parties will become a business. Accuracy will improve
every year. Data will allow a machine to know and predict what you want to
do before you know it.  Horoscopes will not be written for 1/12 of mankind
but can be produced for each individual: ‘John, today you have a 98% chance
to fall down the stairs, be late for work and eat a big steak’. A
predictable life with less surprises. Isn’t that what we always wanted…