Statistics: The only science that enables different experts using the same figures to draw different conclusions.
Evan EsarI was going to stay in bed for another hour this morning....but yesterday I heard a doctor on a morning television show say that statistically, "people who sleep seven hours a night live longer than those who sleep eight hours...". Who knew? So, after my seven hours were up, I was too.
I get such a kick out of statistics. For some reason, putting a number and a percentage after a statement, makes it seem more factual. It's not that I doubt the authenticity of these actual figures, but I do wonder sometimes about their validity as to how they were collected and interpreted.
We humans are so fickle and will pretty much believe whatever we are told....especially if it is backed up by numbers.
So, today is Friday, the 13th. Did you know that over 80% of Americans are superstitious about today? While I do have some superstitions, (see my previous post on this topic) ...having been born on a Friday, the 13th, I actually believe this to be my lucky day. I guess that I am in that lower 20% that aren't concerned about this seemingly volatile combination. I'll let you know how that belief works for me on tomorrow's blog. Who knows? Depending on how my day goes, I may be joining that upper percentile.
Sometimes I admittedly find myself using percentages to give more credence to what I have to say. Try it....it actually works... especially at cocktail parties! (my apologies here to my dear friend, Gary, who is a world renowned bio-statistician and makes his living gathering very real and helpful statistics in the world of medicine !)
Well, I do believe that statistics have their place in our society. In fact, over 40% of you reading this are probably wide awake at this moment as you are riveted by my every word.
: )
“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics”. -Benjamin Disraeli
3 comments:
I ain't really superstitious about the 13th as much as the luck of the Buntings which is totally a statistic family of mishaps. I am only one by marriage, but I would just prefer my son came home yesterday instead of today.. lol..
Good post, I enjoyed it grammie!
God Bless!
Laztheists are NEVER superstitious. Superstition implies controls and vectors and rules, etc. Life is totally under the control of coincidence, a force no one can reckon with.
Those of us old enough to have a track record to look back at can see that coincidence's other mask, "Timing is Everything," pretty much had its way with us.
Here's the final proof: "Finding a four-leaf clover is always a coincidence."
Statistics maybe helpful sometimes just to give an idea. But I don't consider myself as a number going into statistics !
Now thinking back about the famous friday 13, most of the time I never payed attention to the date and anyway I lived with a black cat for 20 years and should be dead for that but I am still happily alive.
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