Dattaisimme

Dattaisimme is a hypothetical philosophical framework that treats data and information as the primary substrate of meaning, value, and action. Coined in speculative discourse, it envisions data streams and models not only as tools but as sources of legitimacy for beliefs and policies.

Etymology is debated; the neologism combines data with the -isme suffix. Some writers also spell it dattaisme. The term mainly appears in fiction, thought experiments, and theoretical essays on data-centric culture.

Core principles include data primacy, empirical validation, transparency, and reproducibility, with careful attention to privacy, consent, and fairness. Proponents argue data-verified reasoning can reduce bias, while acknowledging limits of datasets and the risk of instrumentalism.

Practices emphasize data stewardship, open data standards, algorithmic accountability, and data literacy. Decisions are framed as iterative, with audits and public justification of models.

Historically, dattaisimme is a construct of contemporary theory rather than a historical movement, discussed alongside dataism, information theory, and data ethics as a thought experiment about governance in an age of data abundance.

Critics warn of reductionism and surveillance, while supporters advocate safeguards such as participatory design and democratic oversight to balance evidence with human factors.