Why are we ignoring the boring stuff

📰 Medium · Data Science

Learn why fundamentals in data science are being ignored in favor of trendy tools and how to refocus on building a strong foundation

intermediate Published 18 Jun 2026

Action Steps

Reflect on your current workflow to identify areas where you're relying too heavily on tools
Revisit the fundamentals of data science, such as statistics and data visualization
Practice applying fundamental concepts to real-world problems
Evaluate job posts and content to see how they prioritize tools over fundamentals
Develop a plan to balance tool proficiency with fundamental knowledge

Who Needs to Know This

Data analysts and scientists can benefit from understanding the importance of fundamentals in their work, and team leaders can use this insight to refocus their hiring and training efforts

Key Insight

💡 Fundamentals in data science are being overlooked in favor of tool proficiency, but a strong foundation is crucial for long-term success

Key Takeaways

Learn why fundamentals in data science are being ignored in favor of trendy tools and how to refocus on building a strong foundation

Full Article

Title: Why are we ignoring the boring stuff

URL Source: https://medium.com/@thatomaphoto/why-are-we-ignoring-the-boring-stuff-49dd2ea1c4eb?source=rss------data_science-5

Published Time: 2026-06-18T23:20:41Z

Markdown Content:
# Why are we ignoring the boring stuff | by Thato Maphoto | Jun, 2026 | Medium

[Sitemap](https://medium.com/sitemap/sitemap.xml)

[Open in app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.medium.reader&referrer=utm_source%3DmobileNavBar&source=post_page---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------------------------)

Sign up

[Sign in](https://medium.com/m/signin?operation=login&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40thatomaphoto%2Fwhy-are-we-ignoring-the-boring-stuff-49dd2ea1c4eb&source=post_page---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------global_nav------------------)

[](https://medium.com/?source=post_page---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------------------------)

Get app

[Write](https://medium.com/m/signin?operation=register&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2Fnew-story&source=---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------new_post_topnav------------------)

[Search](https://medium.com/search?source=post_page---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------------------------)

Sign up

[Sign in](https://medium.com/m/signin?operation=login&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40thatomaphoto%2Fwhy-are-we-ignoring-the-boring-stuff-49dd2ea1c4eb&source=post_page---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------global_nav------------------)

![Image 1: Unknown user](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fill:32:32/1*dmbNkD5D-u45r44go_cf0g.png)

# Why are we ignoring the boring stuff

[![Image 2: Unknown user](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fill:32:32/1*dmbNkD5D-u45r44go_cf0g.png)](https://medium.com/@EthutengData?source=post_page---byline--49dd2ea1c4eb---------------------------------------)

[Thato Maphoto](https://medium.com/@EthutengData?source=post_page---byline--49dd2ea1c4eb---------------------------------------)

Follow

2 min read

·

Just now

[](https://medium.com/m/signin?actionUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F_%2Fvote%2Fp%2F49dd2ea1c4eb&operation=register&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40thatomaphoto%2Fwhy-are-we-ignoring-the-boring-stuff-49dd2ea1c4eb&user=Thato+Maphoto&userId=3bcaac486782&source=---header_actions--49dd2ea1c4eb---------------------clap_footer------------------)

1

[](https://medium.com/m/signin?actionUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F_%2Frepost%2Fp%2F49dd2ea1c4eb&operation=register&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40thatomaphoto%2Fwhy-are-we-ignoring-the-boring-stuff-49dd2ea1c4eb&user=Thato+Maphoto&userId=3bcaac486782&source=---header_actions--49dd2ea1c4eb---------------------repost_header------------------)

[](https://medium.com/m/signin?actionUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F_%2Fbookmark%2Fp%2F49dd2ea1c4eb&operation=register&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40thatomaphoto%2Fwhy-are-we-ignoring-the-boring-stuff-49dd2ea1c4eb&source=---header_actions--49dd2ea1c4eb---------------------bookmark_footer------------------)

[Listen](https://medium.com/m/signin?actionUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2Fplans%3Fdimension%3Dpost_audio_button%26postId%3D49dd2ea1c4eb&operation=register&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40thatomaphoto%2Fwhy-are-we-ignoring-the-boring-stuff-49dd2ea1c4eb&source=---header_actions--49dd2ea1c4eb---------------------post_audio_button------------------)

Share

Whenever I get online to read or watch videos about working in data there is one thing that is very apparent, and that is: no one cares about the boring stuff. This is not only visible in content published by influencers but you also see it when going through job posts.

The role of a data analyst or similar has been overtaken by what tools can you use. Companies seem to care more about the list of tools you are proficient in whilst those creating “How to become a data analyst/scientist” content are focusing more on the tools you should be learning to land a job. What happened to the fundamentals of d

Read full article → ← Back to Reads

Why are we ignoring the boring stuff

Key Takeaways

Full Article

Related Videos