Why statistics are fascinating: the numbers are us | Alan Smith | TEDxExeter

Summary

In this talk, the speaker highlights the numeracy crisis in the UK and globally, where a significant portion of the population lacks basic math skills. Despite efforts to improve these skills, the situation has not improved significantly. The speaker argues against the false dichotomy that people are either good with numbers or not, and instead advocates for the use of statistics to inspire and engage everyone. Through surprising statistics and an interactive quiz, the speaker demonstrates how statistics can reveal the disconnect between public perception and reality, sparking interest and discussion about the importance of numbers in our lives.

Takeaways

• 📊 In 2003, a UK government survey revealed that 47 out of 100 working-age adults lacked basic numeracy skills, a figure that rose to 49 in 2011.
• 🌟 Numeracy is crucial for life and societal changes, yet many people struggle with it, including nearly 40% of young people in the USA.
• 🌍 Numeracy issues are not confined to England; seven OECD countries report more than 20% of their young population with low numeracy skills.
• 🤔 The speaker challenges the false dichotomy that people are either good with numbers or not, advocating that everyone can appreciate numbers.
• 📈 Statistics, despite having an image problem, are powerful tools that can surprise and engage people when presented effectively.
• 🧠 There's a significant gap between public perception and statistical reality, as demonstrated by surveys showing misconceptions about demographics.
• 📊 Ipsos MORI's surveys highlight vast discrepancies between perceived and actual data, such as the overestimation of Muslims in England and Wales.
• 🏡 The speaker created a quiz to gauge local area knowledge using census data, aiming to make statistics accessible and engaging for everyone.
• 🎯 The quiz design was inspired by Otto Neurath's isotypes, using visual icons to represent data without complex mathematical terms.
• 🌐 The quiz's success, with a quarter of a million participants in 48 hours, shows that gamification and addressing preconceptions can make statistics appealing.
• 💡 Statistics are not just about uncertainty; they are a reflection of our society, making them inherently fascinating and relevant to everyone.

Q & A

What was the initial reaction of the UK government when they found out about the numeracy skills of the population in 2003?

The UK government was shocked to discover that 47 out of every 100 working-age adults lacked Level 1 numeracy skills, which prompted policy changes and investments.

What happened to the numeracy skills percentage when the UK government re-ran the survey in 2011?

The percentage of adults lacking Level 1 numeracy skills increased slightly from 47% to 49%.

What is the significance of Level 1 numeracy skills mentioned in the script?

Level 1 numeracy skills refer to the ability to deal with fractions, percentages, and decimals, which is a basic skill set necessary for everyday life.

How did the audience at the FT react to the numeracy skills statistic?

One of the readers joked that the figure was only shocking to 51 percent of the population, indicating a humorous yet critical reaction to the statistic.

What was the schoolchild's reaction to the numeracy issue presented by the speaker?

A schoolchild humorously questioned the reliability of the statistic by asking if the person who made the number could be part of the 49 percent who lacked numeracy skills.

According to the OECD figures mentioned in the script, which country has nearly 40 percent of young people with low numeracy?

The USA has nearly 40 percent of young people with low numeracy, as per the OECD figures.

What is the potential issue with categorizing people into those who are comfortable with numbers and those who are not?

The speaker argues that this categorization is a false dichotomy and that it's not an immutable pairing, suggesting that one doesn't need to have high numeracy skills to be inspired by numbers.

Why did the speaker become interested in statistics despite initially not excelling in it?

The speaker became interested in statistics because they realized that statistics are about us as a group and as social animals, we are fascinated by how we relate to our groups and peers.

What is the main purpose of the quiz 'How well do you know your area?' mentioned in the script?

The quiz aims to engage people with local census data in a fun and interactive way, challenging their preconceptions and perceptions about their local area.

What was the public's reaction to the 'How well do you know your area?' quiz when it was launched?

The public's reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with a quarter of a million people playing the quiz within 48 hours of its launch, leading to discussions on social media and even prompting people to challenge politicians with the quiz.

How did the speaker conclude the importance of statistics in our lives?

The speaker concluded that statistics are not just the science of uncertainty but the science of us, emphasizing that we should be fascinated by numbers because they relate to our collective experiences and perceptions.