Big Data and Social Sciences: The Need for Big Theory

This lecture by the instructor focuses on the importance of big theory in social sciences when dealing with big data, particularly in the context of social media. The discussion delves into the challenges posed by the vast amount of data available and the need for new conventions in social science to address the changes brought about by social platforms and big data. The lecture explores the evolution of social science methodologies through three generations - society, opinion, and replication - and emphasizes the impact of digital traces on understanding social phenomena. The instructor advocates for a new era of quantification, highlighting the historical significance of quantification in societal organization and the transformative role of big data and machine learning in shaping society's reflexivity.