Some interesting points kleinbl00 though I have a different take on some of them. First what I agree with... Yes, knowing your data absolutely yields better and more predictable/useful results. This is particularly true with understanding the data integrity, without which no good analysis can be definitive. Also, if you want your analysis to be understood by you and your audience, I'll bang the less is more drum all day. However, assuming one is analyzing data they don't know much about other than it has integrity, it's here a divurge. In this scenario, untold and surprising discoveries can occur. Discoveries that would not have been found if analysis was taken under the curse of knowledge (read: analyzed under the constructs of what you know (or assume to be absolute). This to me is what is so exciting about the world of big data. While scary for sure, and unmanageable for many lots of data can transform industries.