There are two kinds of statistical report.
The first is the easy-to-digest charts, covered in Word Art and frequently featured on political shows. The public is bombarded with such information every day, usually in a very simplified form.
The other format is laden with jargon and charts, and could probably be easily hidden in a "Terms and Conditions", camouflaging flawlessly with the incomprehensible mess. This is the inner form, the one statisticians use to communicate with businesses and scientists.
Although most people are interested in knowing public opinion or water quality, the actual collection and interpretation of stats is a turn-off for the greater population. Most laymen feel washed up even thinking about it.
Mathematicians use rock-solid proofs to communicate, pundits use essays. Statistical reports are a strange love-child of both. When an author sees a statistical report, usually they see this:
On the other hand, pure mathematicians see this:
Although stats in their pure form are one of the most powerful logical appeals, they are also one that few people are attracted to. In fact, many are repulsed by the very idea of their freshman stat class. Statistics, when not simplified, are for a very specific audience with a strong acquired taste. Reports have almost no pathetic appeal and are usually worded with less commitment than a Kardashian wedding. The data is filled with phrases such as "it is inconclusive that..." or "the data implies...". The vague, uncommitted writing serves a purpose. Unlike most forms of communication, the data is not twisted or exaggerated to force a predetermined conclusion. Rather, the data comes first, and the conclusion is in a state of constant flux.
The appeal of statistics is not the way the story is conveyed, but the story itself. The baseline belief of statistics is that the world is uncertain. The reason I was attracted to the field is the same reason many people dislike it: in statistics, inconclusiveness is okay. Being in-between is okay. We're the Messianic Jews to the more stringent English and Math majors. Although it can be dull, statistical data forms the great bridge between the abstract and the concrete. It is the gatekeeper of science. Although it is only understood by a few, statistics provide a universal language that benefits all.
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ReplyDeleteI like your idea of statisticians being kind of a bridge between communication forms, just as Batman is the bridge between darkness and light in Gotham City. I also liked your connection to logos and pathos, and that you were able to use statistics to convince me to include Batman in this comment in a completely relevant way.
ReplyDeleteThough I wouldn't consider myself a huge Batman fan, when I went to donate plasma this afternoon The Dark Knight Rises was playing, so I'll see what I can come up with. You talked about how being in-between is okay. Stats is kind of the Catwomen to the industry. You never really know what you are going to get, so you're grateful when the outcome is desirable, and frustrated, but not completely heart-broken, when the results aren't in your favor. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteHey I was donating Plasma while the The Dark Knight Rises was playing too! Well that all the Batman connection I've got. As far as your post I really like how you talked about how Statistics is the universal language that benefits all because I feel like it benefits my area of interest, Economics, a ton! But really it only benefits those that speak the language, hence, my Econ 378 class I'm currently taking.
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