Statistics

Numbers. I find two things really interesting about them. First: there is only one correct answer. Very objective. Secondly: how numbers are used in percentage statistics. You see, while the numbers remain objective, statistics can be subjective. A simple example: what would you prefer to have, 50% of $100 or 10% of $1,000? The answer, of course, is 10% of $1,000.

This is why percentage statistics can be subjective. Without context, they are sometimes meaningless. They can be easily manipulated to support a certain viewpoint or claim. Sometimes two parties with contradictory viewpoints on an issue can both use the same percentage statistics to support their position. So, you have to know the context. Another example: cases of pneumonia are up 33% year over year in a specific jurisdiction with a population of 100,000 people. That’s big news. But, unless you know last year there were only 4 cases and this year 6, that’s not such big news after all. The numbers are accurate, but the perception they create is not.    

Percentage statistics are constantly thrown at us from every direction to justify perspectives. They can be used or misused. You have to know the context of those numbers.