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by Robin Sharma
Ten Easy Rules to Make Sense of Statistics
"The Data Detective" by Tim Harford explains the importance of understanding statistics, and how they can be misleading. With real-life examples, Harford shows how to navigate the world of numbers and make more informed decisions.
Abraham Bredius was an art critic, collector, and world-renowned expert on Dutch painters. He had special expertise when it came to Johannes Vermeer, the seventeenth-century master revered for works like Girl With a Pearl Earring.
One day in 1937, a lawyer named Gerard Boon paid Bredius a visit to show him a recently discovered Vermeer painting called Christ at Emmaus. Bredius was immediately awestruck, but he was still careful. He inspected the painting for all the signs of forgery – and found none.
Bredius declared Emmaus a genuine Vermeer, perhaps even his finest work. He also said that when he saw the painting, he “had difficulty controlling his emotion.” Unfortunately, Bredius’s heightened emotions were his undoing – because Christ at Emmaus was totally fake.
The key message here is: Notice your emotional reactions to data and information.
Emmaus wasn’t even a very good painting, but still, Bredius was fooled. He wanted so badly to believe that Emmaus was a genuine Vermeer that his emotions clouded his logical reasoning. Unfortunately, most people are likely to be fooled in just the same way when presented with information that stirs their emotions.
Some statistics don’t cause emotional reactions – no one gets upset when they hear “Mars is more than 30 million miles away from Earth.” But other issues – particularly political ones – easily get a rise out of us.
When that happens, we’re likely to ignore the information if it doesn’t fit our preconceived beliefs or use it as evidence if it does. Expertise in a subject doesn’t make us immune to that effect – in fact, some studies have shown that experts are even less likely to change their opinions in the face of contradictory evidence. That’s because they’re both motivated to avoid uncomfortable information and good at producing arguments in their own favor.
So no one is immune to motivated reasoning. Fortunately, following a couple of simple protocols can help you reduce your likelihood of doing it.
It starts with noticing how you feel when you see a statistical claim. Are you outraged, overjoyed, or in denial? After noticing your emotions, pause and reflect to see whether you’re straining to reach a particular conclusion. Your commitment to weighing the facts will help you think more clearly – and, as an added bonus, you’ll set an example of clear thinking for others, too.
The Data Detective (2021) is a smart, practical guide to understanding the ways in which statistics – and our reactions to them – distort and obscure reality. Using psychological research and illuminating examples, it reveals some of the ways our brains influence how we see data and statistics and how we draw incorrect conclusions as a result. By picking apart our cognitive biases and misconceptions, we gain the ability to see data, and in turn, the world, for what it really is.
The Data Detective (2020) by Tim Harford is a valuable read for anyone looking to navigate the world of data and statistics. Here's why this book stands out:
With reliable statistics, citizens can hold their governments to account and those governments can make better decisions.
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Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of The Data Detective?
The ability to understand and interpret data is essential in today's world.
How long does it take to read The Data Detective?
The reading time for The Data Detective varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Data Detective a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Data Detective is a valuable read for anyone interested in data literacy. It offers practical tips and insights to navigate the world of data with confidence.
Who is the author of The Data Detective?
The author of The Data Detective is Tim Harford.