Usually, truthful and sincere people do not need to resort to the use of statistics and surveys. They simply use logic, rationale and common sense.
On the other spectrum, professional liars frequently make full use of statistical analysis and survey reports to CONvince and INFluence others. Do you know why?
Very simple. It is because these two methods of operation (modus operandi) can be easily faked and manipulated to set the outcome the professional liars have already set out to deceive the public, who usually do not have the luxury, time or aptitude to examine the details of the set-up statistics and survey analysis reports.
As such, the bigger/greater the liars, the more flagrantly and frequently statistical analysis presentations and conjured survey reports are quoted to support their lies.
Therefore, for all intents and purposes, we commoners must never allow anyone who make use of statistical figures (they are treating us as digits) and survey analysis reports to influence your thoughts, to affect your common sense and to decide your decisions.
Think wisely and form your own conclusions and make your own decisions. Don't simply follow the crowd, especially those who have stupidity that cannot be cured.
A-non-y-mouse.
I agree with A-non-y-mouse.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is self evident should any Ody who has the sincere and earnest intention to discover it.
Those without the sincere and earnest intention to discover the truth will never find the truth no matter what information or statistics is placed before them. They will find a way to twist themselves out and reconcile the information with their prejudice.
Basically also, those who lack the truth will always have to resort to statistics, collaborative evidence from collaborators, social media, surveys, studies, and expert opinions (of which there are millions) to gather strength to CONvince readers
When lying is not something to be scorned, to be shamed, there is no need for morality to be a virtue.
ReplyDeleteJust make sure one makes as much money as one could and sneer at those that make less.
On Statistics and Surveys
ReplyDeleteThe famous quote:
"LIES, MORE LIES AND STATISTICS!"
is a truism, an evergreen indisputable truth, referring to the use of statistics to influence our opinions and decisions.
Statistics has/have so many methods of collection, collation, analysis and interpretation, and so many ways of presentation. The expert statisticians will have no problem manipulating, playing and flirting with the numbers, as if they are the figures of a voluptuous young woman's measurements.
Surveys are even more tricky and manipulative.
Surveys can be done with a small group of select sampling (targeted for a select objective) or a large group of widely spread-out sampling of the population distribution.
It is common sense that the larger the group of sampling, the more accurate the results may turn out. The smaller the group of sampling, the least accurate the results would be.
Most surveys are done with a small sampling because of pure laziness, shortage of time, lack of resources and seriousness and outright evil deceptive intent.
Survey questionnaires can also be constructed in such a manner that leads the targeted responders to answer positively or negatively. They can even leave the responders no choice, except to respond in the way the "researchers" have already predetermined.
Survey analysis is another area that can be manipulated and skewed to meet certain objectives. It all depends on the ingenuity, integrity and trustworthiness, or the disingenuity, cunningness and unscrupulousness, of the beholdened "analysts" or paid "researchers".
Surveys' reports, the most manipulated frontier of deception, are frequently used by politicians, political parties and policymakers as test-balloons to gauge, as well as opinion-influencers to lure unsuspecting, innocent people to their side. So, read these survey reports with a large handful of salts.
Professional and well-paid survey reporters are some of the best liars in the opinions influencing field. I have never trusted their reports. You can trust them at your own perils.
In conclusion, though statistics and surveys are good tools for decision-making if done by ourselves for our own needs, but they should not be relied upon if presented by others to influence our opinions and decisions.
A-non-y-mouse.
Math is a tool.
ReplyDeleteAs such, it can be used to seek the truth or to formulate the most believable LIES.
This book is an oldie, but goodie.
Also the work of the one and only, one of the biggest egos on the internet: Nicholas Naseem Taleb. He might be insufferable as a human being, but as a math professor and "risk engineer" he does have great ideas...especially on statistics and risk
BTW surveys are not science. They are the least trustworthy of "data sampling".
ReplyDeleteSurveys are ok for unimportant nonsense like "Do you prefer chicken rice or roast pork or char siew fun?" Or, "during sex do you prefer from the top or the bottom?". Useless, unimportant information ... doesn't need precision or truthfulness.
Applying statistical analysis to surveys will get you similar results as applying horoscopes or astrology to picking lucky numbers in 4D.
But don't let people like me stop you if you're that way inclined to use math gasak buta and to your own suka suka ๐
"Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake". N. Bonaparte ๐๐ป