Examining How We Measure Our Lives
Commentary, critiques, and observations on information design and data visualisation
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Read on…: Presidential Popularity Redux
This time last year I used some data published by Public Policy Polling upon presidential popularity (alliterative, right?) to create a graphic looking at said popularity. So here it is again for Presidents Day. Next time I’ll try to remember the holiday is coming a bit further in advance and work on something newer. A […]
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The Battle of Hoth, an Imperial Disaster
Read on…: The Battle of Hoth, an Imperial DisasterMilitary history can offer us numerous examples of graphics, maps, and illustrations to explain significant battles. Today’s graphics from Wired are no exception. Wired explores the future’s past—not today—by looking at the Battle of Hoth from Star Wars and arguing that the battle was a tactical victory but strategic blunder. The author reasons his argument […]
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Influenza
Read on…: InfluenzaThe Washington Post has an interactive infographic piece out about the spread of the flu. The big draw is of course the map—people like maps and they are easy to navigate. However, this time the map actually can serve a useful purpose because a virus spreads through the contact of people and communities. And when […]
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Blizzard Snowfall
Read on…: Blizzard SnowfallIf you do not live on the East Coast, you may be unaware that there was some minor snowfall in New England over this past weekend. The Weather Channel went ahead and named the storm Nemo. (I’m going to lay off the suspect and fishy jokes.) I wanted to revisit the storm because of two […]
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Whence the Popes Came
Read on…: Whence the Popes CameFor the first time in centuries, a sitting pope is to resign. Typically most popes have served until their death. The question for many will now be who will be the next pope. Will it be a cardinal from Latin America? From Africa? I looked at the origins of the all the popes since Peter. […]
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Wawa vs. Sheetz…Wawa of Course…Was There Any Doubt?
Read on…: Wawa vs. Sheetz…Wawa of Course…Was There Any Doubt?Once when I worked at the Jersey shore as a kid a woman purchased her books and then asked me the location of the nearest ATM. I replied “Wawa”. She looked at me as if what I said was gobbledy-gook. She asked again. I replied “Wawa” again but with probably a look of confusion upon […]
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All Your Drone Base Are Belong to Us
Read on…: All Your Drone Base Are Belong to UsJohn Brennan’s confirmation for heading up the CIA begins today. He’s been pretty instrumental in strengthening the United States’ counter-terrorism programme, especially the use of drones to eliminate terrorists. For those drones, the Washington Post mapped out the known bases in Africa and the Middle East from which we operate our drones.