Contributions by: Peter Firth, Philipp Theisohn, Thomas Gauthier, Stephan Sigrist§Conversations with: Dirk Helbing, Adam Greenfield, Roger de Weck, Spencer Chainey, Oliver Reichenstein§Published by W.I.R.E., Think Tank for Business, Society and Life Sciences §In cooperation with Bank J. Safra Sarasin Ltd and the Collegium Helveticum of the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and the University of Zurich§Translation G-E: Dr. Vincent Docherty§Data is seen by many as the gold of the 21st century. And because we are generating more and more of this, there is a growing sense of euphoria. We believe that algorithms can relieve us of the burden of taking many serious decisions on our own, help us achieve a better understanding of our environment, or even predict the future. Software companies dream of the advent of intelligent cities that know their citizens desires, while researchers are working on a world simulator designed to prevent economic crises and even wars. Big Data is the buzzword that is synonymous with the hope that more data will mean more knowledge, transparency and economic prosperity. However, any time expectations are raised in this way, this must be balanced by a critical analysis of the consequences. There are already various indications that the increased volume of data will not lead to more transparency but will be lost in the white noise of the data masses. §ABSTRAKT No 12 goes in search of answers to the question of what the data society will mean for us. The results show why there is something to be said for the continuing lack of transparency and how in the new age we will not only need better algorithms but more common sense than ever before with articles by ETH Professor Dirk Helbing, New York urbanist Adam Greenfield, British criminologist Spencer Chainey, information architect Oliver Reichenstein as well as Roger de Weck, Director General of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, and others.