The Author — Stanford Pines

Gravity Falls Inspired Profiles in Analytics

Dipper may be the analytic core of Gravity Falls, but Stanford Pines is the master analyst. First as a mentor and the mysterious Author and later as the dimension traveling teacher of the supernatural and Grunkle Stan’s twin brother — he is an analytic mastermind.

The Journals — An Analytic Wonder

The Author is first introduced to us as the six-fingered creator of the journals. These books chronicle the supernatural. They include diagrams and visualizations, the results of experimentation, measurements, and even prescriptive analytics. Some of this is obscured by Ford’s heavy reliance on cryptography, but it is an inspirational product none-the-less.

These journals fuel the mind and passions of young Dipper and act as an important resource to his mystery exploring niece and nephew. Ford’s work is their guide and empowers them to take up his mission in his absence.

Analysts are often delinquent in recording their findings. They rarely show the discipline of Ford Pines. But not only does The Author set a good example, his work is paramount to the story. If Ford had not been so diligent, the story would never been able to take place.

Science

Ford’s reappearance marks a turning point in the show. Prior to his return, the supernatural elements and their undoing seem more predicated on magic or at least other supernatural means. Stan’s efforts to bring back his brother and Ford’s emergence as a core character in the final season return science to the shows forefront.

Ford’s lab becomes a place of technology and learning. The show still features supernatural beings, but also concepts like probability, testing, and research. Ford’s return also sets Dipper on a path toward a more formal education and plays up the concept of research assistant.

Action

Finally, Ford does for science and analytics what Indiana Jones did for archaeology. He makes it seem cool. He gives it a sense of action and adventure. He is not a bookish tech-geek like Fiddleford McGucket, his former research assistant. He is a decision-maker and man of action.

This is not to say he is above a geeky game or two like Dungeons, Dungeons, and more Dungeons. But it is no surprise that Ford and Dipper find themselves employing probability in a battle to the death. It is what Ford do…

Ford is the analyst that built the Gravity Falls story line. He will be a hard act to follow. But our next article will do just that… lhgdtid pas Wee

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