The most powerful idea in data science

If you take an introductory statistics course, you'll learn that a datapoint can be used to generate inspiration or to test a theory, but never both. Humans are a bit too good at finding patterns in everything. Real patterns, fake patterns, you name it. We're the sort of creatures that find Elvis's face in a potato chip. If you're tempted to equate patterns with insights, remember that there are three kinds of data patterns: Which ones are useful to you?