That Giant Sifting Sound: A Short History of Big Data

Martin Hilbert

Martin Hilbert pursues a multidisciplinary approach to understand the role of information, communication and knowledge in society. He is particularly interested in the implications of and requisites for the digitization of information in complex social systems. He has published several books and peer-reviewed journal articles in the fields of communication, public policy, economic development, political science, forecasting and social change. He has provided hands-on technical assistance to heads of states, government officials, legislators, diplomats, and private sector and civil society organizations in 30 countries, with a focus on Latin America. Policy makers at the highest political levels have officially recognized the impact of these projects in public declarations. He holds a permanent appointment as Economic Affairs Officer of the United Nations and has recently joined the University of Southern California (USC). Dr. Hilbert's work has been featured in Science, Scientific American, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NPR, BBC, Sueddeutsche, Correio Braziliense, La Repubblica, El Pais, among others.