230: The Cynical Data Guy: Data Tech Debt, Data Mesh, and Dashboard Directives

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome back Matt Kelliher-Gibson for another edition of the Cynical Data Guy. The three go through their hot-takes lightning round as they discuss the challenges faced by data teams, focusing on technical debt and the concept of data mesh. They critique the illusion of productivity in data teams, the pitfalls of complex SQL queries, and the difficulties of implementing data mesh in organizations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clarity, governance, and practical strategies in managing data while also exploring the potential of AI to optimize SQL queries and reduce technical debt, highlighting the need for balanced human oversight. Stay cynical!