So far, so good. Yesterday my posting went through effectively. Right now, as I am looking at my message line, there is no indication that this posting will publish as yet. So, what the heck. I suppose I can write anything. Just like about a lot of women that are making unsubstantiated accusations in the media. Kind of reminds me of little kids only the consequences are far more severe. In second grade us little kids were chatting about who we wanted to be elected president in November. I can see the sincere look on the face of the girl seated next to me in class when she said: "We don't want Eisenhower to be elected! He wants to make us go to school on Saturday and not have summer vacation." All us other kids went, "Ooooohhh! That's terrible. No! We don't want him." Actually, none of us voted for him either. I mean anyone with an angelic face like the little girl that said that certainly wouldn't lie would they? Kids just know that sort of thing, what's true and what isn't. They don't even need proof. Now that I think about it, neither do some adults.
I watched a TV program last night that covered Michael Jackson rehearsing for a concert. I have enjoyed some of his music and caught scenes from a few videos before. It was obvious he was talented. In my opinion outrageously weird, but talented. The things I saw last night really brought out his talent in a way I hadn't seen before. He was as dedicated to the perfection of his music and movement as was humanly possible I think. It was fascinating. Still outrageously weird, but fascinating. I hope he finds peace now.
The riddle that will be announced in January, along with the additional clues are being polished and made ready. I think this year's treasure hunt will be exciting and fun. A little faster paced too.
So there we have it. Just a little rambling today because I became so disheartened by the loss of several postings that disappeared into nothing, just like that. Why waste time when you and I can't communicate anyway? ...................This is a test. Now we see if it publishes.
Showing posts with label lies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lies. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Surveys, statistics, lies and corruption
How often do we read a news report based on facts and figures and change something in our every day lives in order to gain or avoid a consequence of one kind or another. The news report stated this, then we do that. A TV reporter looks into the camera and tells us to avoid this intersection because of a terrible accident, we take another route traveling to work and arrive on time. That's a good report isn't it? Then we take that same reporter looking at a pile of papers concerning ice cream and the beach and swimming, warning us that people that eat ice cream and go to the beach and swim have a higher chance of drowning than if they didn't eat ice cream. Suddenly we think that eating ice cream causes drowning. Do you think that's a good report too? Actually, we can see that that's kind of a ridiculous report. But, believe me, reports like that do happen and with regularity too. We've all fallen victim to them.
I've been reading a book written by Darryl Huff concerning facts, figures and statistics and how they can be manipulated to obtain a desired result. Although it's a real eye opener, it only adds clarity to what I've believed for a long time. My 8 year old daughter brought home a beautiful little kitten one evening, she said the lady up the street was giving it away to a good home. She said, "It's the chance of a lifetime! If she doesn't take the kitten it'll probably die." Those two "facts" were based on her own special set of statistics in hopes of being able to keep the kitty. It worked! In the adult world statistics and figures of all kinds are manipulated in order that the group conducting the research achieves a favorable report. They use all sorts of methods to gain what they want.
Research regarding a health threat can bring millions of dollars in research money. It is beneficial to prove a link to whatever they intend to research and the health threat. Let's say a particular group of scientists wants to study water for future profitability. They don't have much money. They do a study. The study finds that every person that falls victim to a particular major illness "drinks water." They use the study to obtain millions of dollars in grants to study the connection between major illness and water. They study water and receive an income for years, spend the millions of dollars on research and no connection is found. However, as a by product of the research they do discover another, profitable use for water which they market and become millionaires.
A lawyer is defending his very guilty client in court. In order to keep his client from being convicted he must undermine the reputation of the only witness in this case. The witness is sworn in and the lawyer asks him a "loaded" question. "Mr. Howl," asks the lawyer. "Do you still beat you wife and lie? Answer the question, yes, or no!" The witness cannot answer the question yes or no without besmirching his own reputation. With either answer he loses and the jury makes a false conclusion.
A survey is conducted amongst 100 people. The question is: Have you ever been divorced?" 25 people answer yes. The second question asks: How many times have you been divorced? Most people answer once, some answer twice, still others answer three times or more, resulting is a total of 61 divorces in the group of 100 people. The survey was designed to determine how many marriages wound up in divorce. The answer reported in the final analysis was 61% of marriages wind up in divorce, thereby drawing a more dramatic but misleading conclusion.
Children come to school, find it difficult to concentrate, fall asleep and fail their classes. A survey is done that says most kids don't get breakfast. "Children can't concentrate if they don't have breakfast" the survey says. Billions of education dollars are spent to provide children with a free breakfast at school. After years of doing this the result is this. The same amount of children still can't concentrate, fall asleep and fail classes. Then survey data was and still is incorrect but the expenditure has benefited a lot of people. Except the children of course.
This is an interesting subject to me for a couple of reasons. Schools use surveys and statistics to obtain more money. The government uses surveys and statistics to obtain more tax money. Charities use surveys and statistics to show the need for us to give more money. Every organization uses some type of statistic or survey or other data to get what they want don't they?
Being aware of how facts and figures and surveys are conducted and manipulated goes a long way in what I decide to support. I think we'd be far ahead if we had a survey on how many surveys are corrupt................................Joe
I've been reading a book written by Darryl Huff concerning facts, figures and statistics and how they can be manipulated to obtain a desired result. Although it's a real eye opener, it only adds clarity to what I've believed for a long time. My 8 year old daughter brought home a beautiful little kitten one evening, she said the lady up the street was giving it away to a good home. She said, "It's the chance of a lifetime! If she doesn't take the kitten it'll probably die." Those two "facts" were based on her own special set of statistics in hopes of being able to keep the kitty. It worked! In the adult world statistics and figures of all kinds are manipulated in order that the group conducting the research achieves a favorable report. They use all sorts of methods to gain what they want.
Research regarding a health threat can bring millions of dollars in research money. It is beneficial to prove a link to whatever they intend to research and the health threat. Let's say a particular group of scientists wants to study water for future profitability. They don't have much money. They do a study. The study finds that every person that falls victim to a particular major illness "drinks water." They use the study to obtain millions of dollars in grants to study the connection between major illness and water. They study water and receive an income for years, spend the millions of dollars on research and no connection is found. However, as a by product of the research they do discover another, profitable use for water which they market and become millionaires.
A lawyer is defending his very guilty client in court. In order to keep his client from being convicted he must undermine the reputation of the only witness in this case. The witness is sworn in and the lawyer asks him a "loaded" question. "Mr. Howl," asks the lawyer. "Do you still beat you wife and lie? Answer the question, yes, or no!" The witness cannot answer the question yes or no without besmirching his own reputation. With either answer he loses and the jury makes a false conclusion.
A survey is conducted amongst 100 people. The question is: Have you ever been divorced?" 25 people answer yes. The second question asks: How many times have you been divorced? Most people answer once, some answer twice, still others answer three times or more, resulting is a total of 61 divorces in the group of 100 people. The survey was designed to determine how many marriages wound up in divorce. The answer reported in the final analysis was 61% of marriages wind up in divorce, thereby drawing a more dramatic but misleading conclusion.
Children come to school, find it difficult to concentrate, fall asleep and fail their classes. A survey is done that says most kids don't get breakfast. "Children can't concentrate if they don't have breakfast" the survey says. Billions of education dollars are spent to provide children with a free breakfast at school. After years of doing this the result is this. The same amount of children still can't concentrate, fall asleep and fail classes. Then survey data was and still is incorrect but the expenditure has benefited a lot of people. Except the children of course.
This is an interesting subject to me for a couple of reasons. Schools use surveys and statistics to obtain more money. The government uses surveys and statistics to obtain more tax money. Charities use surveys and statistics to show the need for us to give more money. Every organization uses some type of statistic or survey or other data to get what they want don't they?
Being aware of how facts and figures and surveys are conducted and manipulated goes a long way in what I decide to support. I think we'd be far ahead if we had a survey on how many surveys are corrupt................................Joe
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