Damned Lies and Statistics

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In order to know if something is changing for better or worse we must compare statistics from period A to period B. Statistical comparison is necessary in order to understand most statistics. “Comparison lets us put figures in some sort of context”. A good statistic usually involves items of the same kind that are comparable. When two uncomparable statistics are compared that usually results in confusion and distort. The most common error in comparing two or more periods, places, proups, or social problems is comparing statistics that aren't comparable or similar.

When all is said and done people who are getting paid to promote will still promote. Sometimes the promoters do not even fully understand what they are promoting or the effects that issue has on society, if any at all. “At the same time, their commitment to their cause and their enthusiasm for promoting the problem (“Afer all, it's a big problem!”) may lead them to “improve” the statistic, to make the numbers seem more dramatic, even more compelling.” Most times statistics are used as a weapon to shape the society's opion on a certain social problem. The social problem may not even be a problem but with the right tools(newspapers, internet, magazines& advertising) it can become seen as a problem by the people. A recent post in the Scholastic magazine said that about 1.1 billion people around the world “are at risk of hearing loss” due to using earbuds or headphones. Earbuds or headphones may cause hearing loss in some people and there may be 1.1 billion earbud or headphone users around the world. However, by combining the two and using severe exaggeration the publisher makes it seem as if it is a leading world problem. Sometimes the promoters have no real purpose but just want to get attention or stir up controversy. That is why statistics are “Damned Lies and Statistics”.

Works Cited

•Jeol Best, 2001, “Damned Lies and Statistics”

•Joe Bubar(2015, November 16). What Did You Say?. Scholastic News.

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