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“For a long time, I didn't want to write a book about statistics…But I felt that the two things that I could add, based on my BBC experience, was, one, a kind of psychological realism: a recognition that a lot of what we think is not really about, oh, you got confused between correlation and causation or something like that. The problem is you believe something because you wanted to believe it. The second thing that I wanted to introduce was just the idea that statistics can be a really positive thing, your data can be a positive thing…Even among people who are advocates for data science, it's very easy to fall into the trap of only talking about things going wrong, only talking about misinformation…I wanted to push back against that.”
In this compelling episode, we engage in a dynamic conversation with Tim Harford, renowned economist, author of “The Data Detective,” and host of BBC’s “More or Less” podcast. Harford shares his journey from economist to BBC presenter, unveiling the inspiration behind "The Data Detective" and his distinctive approach to the subject. Delving into the challenges of building trust in statistics amid contemporary skepticism, Harford underscores the importance of trustworthy data connected to real-world issues. The conversation extends to the role of educators in promoting data literacy for society, with Harford advocating for the integration of statistical thinking across academic disciplines to highlight the positive impact of data.
“So to educate us, I would say, are you teaching the three C's? Are you encouraging your students to be calm? Are you educating them in the importance of context, as well as all the technical stuff? Like all the things around the technical stuff that make all the difference? And above all, are you fostering a sense of curiosity in your students? I'm sure most educators hope to do that. But it's always a good idea to remind ourselves.”
Decoding Data Realities: A Journey with Tim Harford