‘Now, what I want is stats! Stats alone are wanted in life!’
If Dickens’ hard-nosed utilitarian, Thomas Gradgrind, was around today he’d probably be knee-deep in SAGE briefings and ONS data bulletins, trying to work out what the heck is going on with this virus.
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In the absence of a fictional Victorian schoolmaster, who better to lead us through the numerical mire than Tim Harford – the economist, author, broadcaster and TED-talker – whose new book ‘How To Make The World Add Up’ is an invaluable guide to seeing through the statistical fog.
It’s much more than just a handy Spark Notes for numeracy though, as Tim delves into the deeply held psychological biases that lead us down the wrong path.
This was a great discussion about a book packed with insights and wonderful nuggets, such as: what do the inner workings of a toilet tell us about political polarisation?
