#NumbersLie
Something that more people need to remember is that numbers though absolute can be use to lie by humans. Figuring out how to cut them, how to use them, how to display them all play into making the numbers lie. Most of us were taught in school how numbers are solid and concrete things in the world. It is this belief that people use to make it seem what they are saying is truth. When any group is attempting to make something seem real, dig deeper to see where the data and numbers came from it can be amazing what truth you will really find.
Here is an article that starts to display how numbers can be used to lie.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2013/08/08/6-ways-numbers-can-lie-to-us/ [pdf]
I also would like to suggest a viewing of the Penn & Teller Bullshit episode “Numbers” Season 04 Episode 09
It is currently available on Amazon.
Everyday, we run into someone telling us how something is true and then uses a number to back them up but just how true is it? Always be questioning the source.