Response to “The Best Stats You’ve Ever Seen” by Hans Rosling

First Impressions/Illuminating Data

The initial message of Hans Rosling’s Ted Talk seemed to be that of the potential that data, statistics, and models have. They can show us what we at first are blind to, acting as an illumination technique in a world of darkness. This potential should not go untapped. Rosling initially looked at the preconceived notions that blinded people with his pre-test on students about mortality rates in countries. They had a mean score of around 1.8 while a chimp, which has no preconceived bias or thought, scored a 2.5. This illustrates the extreme veil that bias places on our outlook and decision making processes. In this case, the use of data lifts that viel, showing us what is truly occuring on the global scale. Rosling further exemplified this point by illustrating how people think of developed countries compared to the “third world.” Many would assume that a place like Vietnam has a lower life expectancy than the US and have larger families. In reality, as the data shows, the life expectancy and child numbers have moved much closer to those of the US. Again, the data helps resolve us of our unnecessary prejudices by showing an unfiltered truth.

The Need for Specific Data and Help

Going along with the theme of biases clouding judgement and data alleviating those prejudices, it is important to contextualize the problem an entity is attempting to solve. Hans showed through the ted talk that when looking at a continent, for example Africa, as a whole, the whole truth is not apparent. It will look like Africa as a whole is in an incredible amount of need. While this is true for some places, it does not apply to all. For this reason, decision making, humanitarian aid, and statistical conclusions must be contextualized and broken up beyond just large generalizations. Each must strike with precision in the areas which desire and need the most help and aid. Another example was Arabian peninsula; when viewed together, it seems like the United Arab Emirates would need as much help as Yemen. But viewed separately, it is clear to see that the United Arab Emirates is in less need and Yeman needs the bulk of it. By splitting up regionalities it is clear that the correlation is only strengthened. As such, each problem must be approached with a significant amount of contextualization and understanding of the different facets.

A Necessary Future for Public Data

Because of the enlightenment that data provides, Rosling argues that data bases which house these large amounts of data should be accessible to the public. Though the Ted Talk is dated and I am under the assumption that more data sources have been released to the public, the sentiment remains important. To make substantial change and to relieve ourselves of potential biases with the use of data, that information must be widespread and without blockage. If that data remains away from the eyes of the public, even if it is deemed too situational, then those biases will prevail, leaving people in a shadow of thought which is incorrect and ill conceived. To have a more informed populous, data and the models they create must be widespread and abundant, for all to see.