Data about people is not neutral nor is it distant. Anonymised data has an air of distance and neutrality, but it is neither.  It is still about people.  

Datasets are expressions of the way the world is, with its bias, bigotry, racism, exploitation, inequality, patriarchy,  and struggles for power .  But also its joy, kindness, self-sacrifice, and so on.  And yet, talking about these things is too tough, too painful, so we distance ourselves and focus on the data.  

Data is a symptom not a cause.  

Photo by Curtis MacNewton