Big Data is creeping up, on your computer, in the Cloud, even in outer space. Before we let Big Data loose in 2013, let’s not forget about the little guy, small data. While Big Data may have predicted Obama’s victory, small data relies on human reason, which we value at the Ship. Here are 6 insights and inventions that don’t come from monstrous amounts of data, because “humans are of a greater order than algorithms” (Huzzah!).

1. Nothing on the internet really dies

The rise of Snapchat, and its jealous sister Facebook Poke, show how we’re desperate to escape the permanence of the internet. Both of these apps allow us to communicate more trivial moments, and let us share in a non-permanent way.

2. Sneaky advertising

Google’s new mobile game, Ingress, not only adds a bit of freaky sci-fi to your daily life, but it also has some sneaky advertising opportunities. By weaving brand partnerships into the story, the game could lead you unknowingly to the nearest Zipcar station.

3. Organization made real simple

Scratch your organization itch in 2013 with the most intuitive productivity apps around. Designed by fellow humans, products like Dropmark and others make storing all your personal data (no matter how big or small) effortless.

4. Listen to your digital grandpa

Moving past the fact that grandparents use Quora, this thread reveals some valuable life-learnings from those with 60+ years to speak from. Who needs big data when you can find all of life’s secrets right here.

5. A Warby Parker for ____.

We love Warby Parker, and apparently so does the social interwebz. Through people tweeting, “ We need a Warby Parker for ____” this author explains the magic of the Warby Parker brand. If companies want to copy its success, they must cut out the middleman to offer a great product that isn’t overly expensive.

6. Technology, according to teenagers

Technology is not only for the virtuous and the geeks, but it’s also for the selfie-obsessed youth. Buzzfeed interviews a REAL LIVE teenager to discover that they not only flock to sharing platforms in masses, but they do so in a manner you might not expect.

Let’s be real, small data and human innovation are going to save us from big data fueling the robot apocalypse anyway.

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