Numbers often hold a revered position in society, seen as objective and unbiased. Yet, their interpretation can be influenced by cultural, social, and personal biases. Ancient Romans, for example, viewed even numbers as unlucky, odd ones as lucky. Today, numbers are integral to our understanding of the world, but they can also be manipulated to serve particular narratives, especially in politics and media.
The fixation on quantifying everything can lead to over-simplification, reducing complex issues to mere digits. In academia, this obsession with quantification often manifests in the pressure to publish, leading to a focus on quantity over quality. This can skew the perception of academic success, undervaluing teaching and other non-quantifiable aspects of academia.
The numerical representation of COVID-19 cases is another example of how numbers can be manipulated to create certain narratives. The way these numbers are presented can influence public perception and response to the pandemic.
Numbers are not inherently objective or truthful; their interpretation can be influenced by a multitude of factors. As such, it is important to approach them with a critical eye, understanding the potential for bias and manipulation.
Go to source article: https://eidolon.pub/when-numbers-dont-count-56a2b3c3d07