CMDS 2500: Data Silhouette Assignment

25% of course grade

Due: November 16, 2023
Instructions

Part 1: Create a Data Silhouette

1.1) Count a minimum of 20 data points from your digital life. It is recommended that you collect
these data points in one day, or at most across two days. Collection should take the form of
written or digital notes about each data point. Examples might include:

a) Texts you send in a day;

b) Emails you send in a day;
c) Online posts or tweets you make in a day;
d) Wireless networks you connect to in a day;
e) Photos or videos you take in a day;
f) Posts you like or share in a day;
g) Online videos you watch in a day;
h) Podcasts you listen to in a day;
i) Video games you play in a day; or
j) Something else!

1.2) Visualize the data you counted. Be creative! Use colour! Visualize not only the number of
data points, but differentiate between the data points. For example: long texts versus short
texts, emails to friends versus emails to family, or videos you like versus videos you do not like.
Think of an interesting way to present your data. You can depict yourself in the visualization in
relation to the data, or just present the data itself.

1.3) Review the Powerpoint slides for some examples. You can also visit these sites for some
ideas:
 http://www.dear-data.com/theproject
 http://www.dear-data.com/by-week/
 http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/dear-data-and-fivethirtyeight-want-you-to-visualize-
your-podcast-habits/

1.4) How to submit your data silhouette. Your data silhouette should include two pages:

Page 1: A key that helps the reader interpret your visualization. For example, what does each
colour represent? What do the shapes represent? See the Powerpoint slides for examples.

Page 2: The data visualization. See the Powerpoint slides for examples.

If you created the silhouette by hand, please scan or take a photo of each page. If the silhouette is
digital, make sure it fits on two pages. Please make sure these two pages are the first pages of
your assignment submission.

1
Part 2: Reflection and Analysis

2.1) Please write 1,000 words (not including references) as you answer the following questions:

a) What does your data silhouette say about the amount and/or type of data we
produce?

b) Please watch these two video essays:

1) “What is The Biggest Lie on The Internet?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=fL5F4gDKBSQ

2) “The Clickwrap and The Biggest Lie on The Internet”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtQ2tNUTF3Q

c) Discuss what your data silhouette suggests about how easy/difficult it is to protect
and/or control personal data. Please refer to the video essays from (b) and the
academic literature when organizing your answer.

2.2) In addition to the video essays in (b), please answer the questions above by referring
primarily to academic journal articles or books. Please provide in-text citations and a
reference list in APA style. The word limit does not include references.

2.3) Recommended readings:

 Here are two academic sources to consider:
o Solove (2012). Privacy self-management and the consent dilemma. Harvard
Law Review (see page 1888 on the “Problem of Scale”).
o Obar (2015). Big Data and The Phantom Public: Walter Lippmann and the
fallacy of data privacy self-management. Big Data & Society.

2.4) Papers are to be uploaded to the appropriate location on eClass via Turnitin. If you have any
privacy concerns about Turnitin, please speak with the instructor. AI tools are not permitted
for completing this assignment.

Grading Rubric Grade: A Grade: B Grade: C Grade: D or less

Content Clear and detailed Somewhat developed Weak answers, weak Lacking clear answers.
answers. Writing has answers, average flow, flow, few insights, lacking
strong flow and is some insights, somewhat sources.
insightful, convincing, interesting, average
interesting, and well- number of sources.
sourced.
Style Clear, no major Some sp/gr/APA errors, Some sp/gr/APA errors, Various errors.
sp/gr/APA mistakes, sloppy presentation, sloppy presentation,
clean presentation, and language issues. language issues, lack of
strong use of language. clarity.

As always, if you have any questions about this assignment, please do not hesitate to ask.