Factfulness-Short Overview

God bless, this week’s blog topic covers an overview of a book, I just read or should say listened to on audible. The book is called FactFulness: Ten Reasons Were Wrong About the World and Why Things are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling, MD. Initially, I thought this book would be boring and the author would try to explain to me subjective manner that the statistical data was inconsistent. Hans Rosling in each chapter redefines factfulness, for example, “factualness is recognizing that a single perspective as limitations to your imagination.” Once I heard that thought, I started thinking about the word limitations as relating to the dynamics of research. From my experience, research in many instances turns into the process of putting the “cart before the horse.” 

  Have you ever gotten into a discussion with somebody and they are not open to your critical thinking or opinion? For example, they say, meteorologist have the easiest job, they can be ten percent right most of the time and still be correct. Where is the data support, you ask?  Have you ran across an academic or somebody with the title before their name and seemed like they know everything about everything? The importance of factfulness is being humble about what you know and what you do not.

Additionally, we should always ask the right questions. Dr. Rosling further explains the importance of testing your concepts by continually asking questions, especially once you develop a hypothesis.  From my experience, statistical data can be misused and misinterpreted.  For example,  what if a reporter says, “there is no poverty left in the world.” Would you believe them? Would that affect organizations that provide support and supplies to the needy countries?

Additionally, Dr. Rosling puts a country’s wealth into four categories. Also, Dr. Rosling believes that the listeners of news like to hear about earthquakes, wars, refugees, disease, fire, floods, shark attacks and terror attacks. I would take the time listen to or read Factfulness by Dr. Hans Rosling, especially if you would like to improve your critical thinking skills.

Passing on a little knowledge, Dr. Claude :)