David Asboth
@davidasboth.com
Data generalist, educator, author of The Well-Grounded Data Analyst (Manning, 2025). Co-host of the Half Stack Data Science podcast.
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David Asboth
@davidasboth.com
· Oct 29
Intro time! I'm David. I call myself a "data generalist" because I haven't found a label that fits.
I've been a software dev, data scientist, and my real passion is education so now I do Python and data training.
I'm currently most interested in skills that data people *actually* need to know.
I've been a software dev, data scientist, and my real passion is education so now I do Python and data training.
I'm currently most interested in skills that data people *actually* need to know.
We first played the most basic script where the experienced players were already guessing what other roles people could be and I was still trying to keep up. The more complex script had much more variability (including multiple demon types) so I felt equally badly-informed. Great fun!
January 15, 2026 at 2:33 PM
We first played the most basic script where the experienced players were already guessing what other roles people could be and I was still trying to keep up. The more complex script had much more variability (including multiple demon types) so I felt equally badly-informed. Great fun!
The state of LinkedIn man... I see posts like:
"I used <AI technology X> for the first time today. [...] Follow for more tips using <AI technology X>!"
I realise the irony of saying people on LinkedIn shouldn't be posers, but this immediate need to be seen as experts in something is excruciating.
"I used <AI technology X> for the first time today. [...] Follow for more tips using <AI technology X>!"
I realise the irony of saying people on LinkedIn shouldn't be posers, but this immediate need to be seen as experts in something is excruciating.
January 15, 2026 at 8:51 AM
The state of LinkedIn man... I see posts like:
"I used <AI technology X> for the first time today. [...] Follow for more tips using <AI technology X>!"
I realise the irony of saying people on LinkedIn shouldn't be posers, but this immediate need to be seen as experts in something is excruciating.
"I used <AI technology X> for the first time today. [...] Follow for more tips using <AI technology X>!"
I realise the irony of saying people on LinkedIn shouldn't be posers, but this immediate need to be seen as experts in something is excruciating.
I recently played Blood on the Clocktower for the first time and I'd been putting it off, thinking that everyone else would be amazing at it and I'd be shit - turns out it's so chaotic that no one, even experienced players, knew what the hell was going on so I was on even terms and it was fun!
January 15, 2026 at 8:08 AM
I recently played Blood on the Clocktower for the first time and I'd been putting it off, thinking that everyone else would be amazing at it and I'd be shit - turns out it's so chaotic that no one, even experienced players, knew what the hell was going on so I was on even terms and it was fun!
I'm so impressed by how you made matplotlib bend to your will
January 13, 2026 at 12:44 PM
I'm so impressed by how you made matplotlib bend to your will
When I say I love seeing other people's wild ideas for data projects come to life, this is what I mean. Seriously cool idea.
Cheeseburgers are not natural.
My Graph is up on Reddit www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeau...
My Graph is up on Reddit www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeau...
January 13, 2026 at 12:36 PM
When I say I love seeing other people's wild ideas for data projects come to life, this is what I mean. Seriously cool idea.
That was my concern I think back when I briefly looked into it. I think Telegram bots are easier from the coding side but not for user adoption 🤦🏻♂️
January 11, 2026 at 9:21 PM
That was my concern I think back when I briefly looked into it. I think Telegram bots are easier from the coding side but not for user adoption 🤦🏻♂️
Sounds like you need to take your own course then! 🤣
January 11, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Sounds like you need to take your own course then! 🤣
Replying to this so I don't miss any answers - I've always wanted to build a WhatsApp bot, got a few use cases in mind but never got round to it...
January 11, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Replying to this so I don't miss any answers - I've always wanted to build a WhatsApp bot, got a few use cases in mind but never got round to it...
The internet was so full of misinformation about hidden episodes and whatnot that any spoilers are probably lost in the noise!
January 11, 2026 at 2:54 PM
The internet was so full of misinformation about hidden episodes and whatnot that any spoilers are probably lost in the noise!
You should definitely add verification to boost trust!
January 9, 2026 at 6:56 AM
You should definitely add verification to boost trust!
LinkedIn notification: "You have one of the most-viewed profiles. Add verification to boost trust."
1. I don't need to see the data to know I *don't* have one of the most-viewed profiles unless it's a weird subpopulation
2. If I already have one of the most-viewed profiles, why take any action?
1. I don't need to see the data to know I *don't* have one of the most-viewed profiles unless it's a weird subpopulation
2. If I already have one of the most-viewed profiles, why take any action?
January 8, 2026 at 1:04 PM
LinkedIn notification: "You have one of the most-viewed profiles. Add verification to boost trust."
1. I don't need to see the data to know I *don't* have one of the most-viewed profiles unless it's a weird subpopulation
2. If I already have one of the most-viewed profiles, why take any action?
1. I don't need to see the data to know I *don't* have one of the most-viewed profiles unless it's a weird subpopulation
2. If I already have one of the most-viewed profiles, why take any action?
Happy birthday! Have a haunted board game. It's addictively fun, but each time you play you forget the existence of another board game, and you can never rediscover it, until eventually only this one haunted board game remains. Enjoy!
January 7, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Happy birthday! Have a haunted board game. It's addictively fun, but each time you play you forget the existence of another board game, and you can never rediscover it, until eventually only this one haunted board game remains. Enjoy!
Thanks, I just learned a new word 🤣 summer hibernation is definitely a thing
January 4, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Thanks, I just learned a new word 🤣 summer hibernation is definitely a thing
Innit just? Thought about it on like 10 different occasions today.
January 3, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Innit just? Thought about it on like 10 different occasions today.
Also, what a painting!
January 3, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Also, what a painting!
Posting this article as a bookmark to myself. Damn, it really hit home.
"instead of causing consolation, screens only make us feel more distant and disconnected and lonely, as an apathy sets in that is increasingly abstract, a kind of stomach-level sadness"
www.tommydixon.ca/p/how-to-end...
"instead of causing consolation, screens only make us feel more distant and disconnected and lonely, as an apathy sets in that is increasingly abstract, a kind of stomach-level sadness"
www.tommydixon.ca/p/how-to-end...
How to end your extremely online era
A somewhat practical guide
www.tommydixon.ca
January 3, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Posting this article as a bookmark to myself. Damn, it really hit home.
"instead of causing consolation, screens only make us feel more distant and disconnected and lonely, as an apathy sets in that is increasingly abstract, a kind of stomach-level sadness"
www.tommydixon.ca/p/how-to-end...
"instead of causing consolation, screens only make us feel more distant and disconnected and lonely, as an apathy sets in that is increasingly abstract, a kind of stomach-level sadness"
www.tommydixon.ca/p/how-to-end...
One of the things I said in my 2025 review is how I want to spend less time on social media.
One point of internal resistance has always been "but what about the community?" but as much as I loved Data Twitter and its reincarnations, it's not the same as your *local* community.
One point of internal resistance has always been "but what about the community?" but as much as I loved Data Twitter and its reincarnations, it's not the same as your *local* community.
Today I felt somewhat compelled to write up my year in review.
Featuring:
- things I did
- people we spoke to on the podcast
- talks I've given
- books I loved
and more!
Happy new year everyone and especially the #databs community!
davidasboth.com/2025-year-in...
Featuring:
- things I did
- people we spoke to on the podcast
- talks I've given
- books I loved
and more!
Happy new year everyone and especially the #databs community!
davidasboth.com/2025-year-in...
David Asboth - Data Solutions & Consultancy
davidasboth.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:45 AM
One of the things I said in my 2025 review is how I want to spend less time on social media.
One point of internal resistance has always been "but what about the community?" but as much as I loved Data Twitter and its reincarnations, it's not the same as your *local* community.
One point of internal resistance has always been "but what about the community?" but as much as I loved Data Twitter and its reincarnations, it's not the same as your *local* community.
That's the hardest thing especially because the most recent ideas are always the most enticing 🙈
January 3, 2026 at 8:00 AM
That's the hardest thing especially because the most recent ideas are always the most enticing 🙈
Happy new year to you too!
December 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Happy new year to you too!
Today I felt somewhat compelled to write up my year in review.
Featuring:
- things I did
- people we spoke to on the podcast
- talks I've given
- books I loved
and more!
Happy new year everyone and especially the #databs community!
davidasboth.com/2025-year-in...
Featuring:
- things I did
- people we spoke to on the podcast
- talks I've given
- books I loved
and more!
Happy new year everyone and especially the #databs community!
davidasboth.com/2025-year-in...
David Asboth - Data Solutions & Consultancy
davidasboth.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Today I felt somewhat compelled to write up my year in review.
Featuring:
- things I did
- people we spoke to on the podcast
- talks I've given
- books I loved
and more!
Happy new year everyone and especially the #databs community!
davidasboth.com/2025-year-in...
Featuring:
- things I did
- people we spoke to on the podcast
- talks I've given
- books I loved
and more!
Happy new year everyone and especially the #databs community!
davidasboth.com/2025-year-in...
Grim Fandango is the beeeeeest, I wish I'd thought to keep the box and frame it!
December 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Grim Fandango is the beeeeeest, I wish I'd thought to keep the box and frame it!
Definitely! This sounds perfect to kickstart a habit of writing more. I did better in 2025 than previous years but want to do more because I love it when I can get myself to do it!
December 28, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Definitely! This sounds perfect to kickstart a habit of writing more. I did better in 2025 than previous years but want to do more because I love it when I can get myself to do it!
It's not the most amazing magic *trick* per se (although it is a good effect tbf) but it's my favourite routine because I love Piff and his chemistry with Penn. Also, dragons.
December 26, 2025 at 7:52 PM
It's not the most amazing magic *trick* per se (although it is a good effect tbf) but it's my favourite routine because I love Piff and his chemistry with Penn. Also, dragons.
It has been nice to avoid social media entirely for a few days. As a belated Christmas present, I was delighted to discover that one of my favourite magic routines on Penn & Teller Fool Us is now back on YouTube so you can all have it as a treat: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRfl...
Penn & Teller: Fool Us - Pop n Piff - Season 5 Episode 1 (2018)
YouTube video by Penn & Teller
www.youtube.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:51 PM
It has been nice to avoid social media entirely for a few days. As a belated Christmas present, I was delighted to discover that one of my favourite magic routines on Penn & Teller Fool Us is now back on YouTube so you can all have it as a treat: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRfl...
Glad to hear you had a lovely Christmas! Man, "reacting like a rescue dog in a world of hoovers" to describe sensory overwhelm is... *chef's kiss*
December 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Glad to hear you had a lovely Christmas! Man, "reacting like a rescue dog in a world of hoovers" to describe sensory overwhelm is... *chef's kiss*