Quantitative Issues - Joel Katz

Important points:

• The result of information overload is that very little can be understood, even if a lot of information is present.
• To effectively show large amounts of data, a selection process must take place.
• Hard for humans to judge dimensional shapes.
• Good idea to use objects we know in order to compare sizes, like the fruits for planets.
• Numerical integrity is important to convey information accurately.
• The usage of numbers can distort or clarify information.
• Per capita is an important tool in understanding information as an average, where it might be otherwise miserepresented. As an example, we know that Texas has 3 times as many residents as New Jersey, but by knowing that New Jersey has more residents per square mile tells us just how densely populated New Jersey is.
• There are many ways to choose forms to represent data, and the right one must be chosen as a compromise between several different ones.
• Keep scale consistent.
• The meaning of a number is almost always in a relationship to some other number
• Different measurement systems affect perception of proportions.

Disagree with:

• Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't an empty NCAA bracket printed so that people could fill it in themselves.
• Disagree with analysis of NFL scoreboard. I think that the important information is communicated well, and different techniques are used for different information. The down is highlighted from the rest of the information by having a different background. The score is centered and thus easy to read. The less important information like the time and quarter is left for the viewer to interpret whenever they have the chance, as it is not immediately important. Also, I think it's funny how the author chose a particular instance when extra information, that is not present all the time, appears, just to highlight his point.
• Disagree with using Texas for comparisons. I don't think it would make it easier in terms of "real" distance, like the author is talking about. Like a lot of people in this country, I only know that Texas is big, but how big? No idea. I've only seen it on the map. In fact, from some simple googling, I found out that Alaska is almost 3 times as big as Texas, but in my mind Texas was bigger. Even then, I don't get any valuable information about the size of Alaska, except for that it is bigger than Texas.

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