“We’re focused on the data.”

“We’re focused on the data.”

OK, that’s great. A few follow-up questions, if I may…

Which data, exactly, are you “focused on”?  There’s an awful lot of it.

Where did your data come from? Who supplied it? Is your data accurate?

Why that data instead of this data or the other data? What was the criteria in selecting a certain cache of data to focus on over all of the other available data? Are you certain that the data you’re focused on is actually the data that matters? How do you know this to be the case, what was the process by which you discovered this to be true?

Is it possible that by focusing on this particular data that you may be missing something of elementary importance among a different data set? How do you guard against that possibility? Are you flexible enough to allow new data to mingle with the old data, to bow and sway the constructs already in your line of sight?

Are there qualitative factors that you acknowledge to be important but unquantifiable – and hence not included in the data you focus on? How do you ignore these qualitative factors, especially the glaringly obvious ones? How do you convince yourself, if need be, that the numbers will eventually pick up the colors and the sounds that become brighter and louder to us sentient beings everyday?

When will you override the data? What non-data inputs or variables tell you that the data you’re focusing on is missing something, perhaps something really big?

Or will you follow the data off the cliff based on whichever rules you’ve laid out at the outset?

Is this final risk worth all of the supposed certainty that “focusing on the data” has given you?

This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this “post” (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Ritholtz Wealth Management employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Ritholtz Wealth Management or performance returns of any Ritholtz Wealth Management Investments client.

References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.

Wealthcast Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here: https://www.ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers

Please see disclosures here.

What's been said:

Discussions found on the web
  1. w88 commented on Sep 21

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/09/25/were-focused-on-the-data/ […]

  2. digital transformation services commented on Nov 18

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/09/25/were-focused-on-the-data/ […]

  3. zegarki repliki commented on Nov 26

    … [Trackback]

    […] Here you will find 78784 additional Information to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/09/25/were-focused-on-the-data/ […]

  4. Intelligent Automation commented on Nov 26

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/09/25/were-focused-on-the-data/ […]

  5. sign in scotiabank commented on Dec 04

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More Information here to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/09/25/were-focused-on-the-data/ […]

  6. Buy Vyvanse 70mg Online commented on Dec 10

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More Info here to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/09/25/were-focused-on-the-data/ […]

  7. mơ thấy cầu vồng commented on Dec 22

    … [Trackback]

    […] Info to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/09/25/were-focused-on-the-data/ […]

  8. Software testing outsourcing commented on Jan 15

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More Info here on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/09/25/were-focused-on-the-data/ […]

  9. DevOps Service Provider commented on Feb 07

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/09/25/were-focused-on-the-data/ […]