Economist to provide glimpse of what big data can tell us

October 7, 2025

Economist to provide glimpse of what big data can tell us

Economist to provide glimpse of what big data can tell us

What can Google searches, social media posts, and online data reveal about human behavior? A lot, says Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, a New York Times best-selling author, data scientist and former Google data analyst, who will share his insights during the Wickson-Nickless Distinguished Lectureship in Business presented by the Scott L. Carmona College of Business at Saginaw Valley State University. The lecture will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall. It is free and open to the public.

His presentation, "Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us," promises an eye-opening and humorous look at how data can uncover hidden truths about what people really think, want and do.

Stephens-Davidowitz is the author of three acclaimed books, including the international bestseller "Everybody Lies" (an "Economist" Book of the Year), "Don't Trust Your Gut" and "Who Makes the NBA?" He has published in leading academic journals, advised Fortune 500 companies and collaborated with major organizations - including Oracle on its 2023 "Decision Dilemma" study.

As part of his visit to SVSU, Stephens-Davidowitz will speak to SVSU students on the topic "Who Makes the NBA?: A Talk on Basketball and Artificial Intelligence."

The Wickson-Nickless Distinguished Lectureship in Business commemorates the late James E. Wickson and Allen E. Nickless, who were prominent business and community leaders of Frankenmuth. The program is supported by endowments from the Wickson-Link Memorial Foundation and the Allen E. and Marie A. Nickless Memorial Foundation and offers forums to study and debate contemporary issues that influence business policy and behavior.