During these times of figures, numbers and graphs I remembered a lecture of Tim Harford on statistics. Everybody can use statistics for their own benefit, depends on how you look at them and especially how the numbers are presented.

Statistics. You can make them to prove anything. For example the horrifying fact? that only 20 % of the people is washing their hands after a toilet visit^*.

But how can we distinguish the numbers from the truth? Tim gives us good examples but also some simple steps to check the facts.

Curiosity is one of them. What am I looking at? What are they trying to tell me? But the main point I’ve taking away.. Are these so called facts causing doubt? When this is the case you should really look for the source of the numbers, who is trying to make me doubt about this issue.