Bytes into Grams: A Visualization of Data's Size

“Information is the oil of the 21st century, and analytics is the combustion engine.” – Peter Sondergaard

Big data is catapulting to the forefront of research and innovation in nearly every field. When analyzed and applied judiciously, it can predict business trends, stem the spread of diseases, combat crime, and provide optimized entertainment. The possibilities are endless when we unite human sensibility with the numbers. It is theorized that 90% of all data in the world has been created in just the past few years. It is an exciting prospect to imagine what is next.

What we do know for certain is that there is a colossal amount of data out there. It is nearly impossible to pin it down with an exact number due to the perpetual explosion of growth it is undergoing. This infographic is meant to provide simple, entertaining visualizations of the “inside” of data devices. Some we use everyday, others are restricted for government access. While data is practically intangible, this chart is intended to provide perspective on just how immense the universe of data truly is.