IDG Contributor Network: Both sides of the big data debate

A multi-ethnic, mostly male crowd teemed in and out of windowless meeting rooms and the sprawling vendor exhibit hall. Some stood mesmerized like disciples before large LED screens. Others wandered between booths, munching on popcorn or nursing craft beers. Many lounged in crowded common areas, discussing graph databases and Hive. Another day, another tech industry event in Silicon Valley.Or was it? There was a DJ spinning club music (I think I caught Skrillex’s pumping remix of GTA's