If you’ve ever had to stare at a data set and wonder how to make meaning of it, this is for you. 

Ben Wellington is a teacher, researcher and the creator of a little blog called “I Quant NY”. 

With the release of NYC Open Data, there were hundreds of data sets newly available to the public for anyone to view and use. To learn data mapping tools and combine his interest in urban planning, Ben started mapping quintessential Big Apple experiences like parking tickets, bike accidents and where New Yorkers hail cabs. 

In his TED Talk, Making data mean more through storytelling, Ben interrogated what it was about his data “stories” that caught the attention of publications as well as the Metro Transit Authority. His conclusion? Not unlike his passion for improv—good storytelling. 

Though this TED talk is a decade old, building a good data story takes the same elements today. The tools may look different but relating to people, keeping it simple and making an impact are still part of the data viz picture.

This is an episode for: Data viz nerds, people that hate data but have to work with it and New Yorkers. 

What’s in the Spice Cabinet? 

Watch the TED Talk for yourself

• Making data mean more through storytelling

Create your own NYC data story! 

• NYC open data - there’s even a Central Park squirrel census

Where to find more of Ben’s work

• LinkedIn

• I Quant NY (blog)

Dream Venue? 

• Molly says Times Square (probably not though lol)

Walkout song?

• Empire State of Mind - JAY-Z ft. Alicia Keys

• (Theme from) New York, New York - Frank Sinatra