Ah.. Statistics.. Statistics.. and damn Statistics..

This morning i open the newspaper in India only to find another one of those damn statistical reports covering

the main page.

It is about a survey by ThomsonReuters sampling total of 548 people from 195 countries in 7 continents to conclude India is the most dangerous country for women in the world.

Wow. what a representative sample.. I would rather make a better conclusion by sitting alone in my office room with eyes closed.

Sigh. Data and Statistics….. the boon and bane of the modern world.

As often stated, ” Statistics are like a bikini. what they reveal is suggestive but what they conceal is vital”.

These days we keep finding lot of statistics being thrown around on professional networking sites and media on several issues ranging from personal health and skills to national progress.

Ultimately it all gets down to the wisdom of the person interpreting the data. Ability to discern the good data from noise makes the difference.

If only data could drive all the decisions, there would not have been successful and failed businesses or right and wrong decisions in general.

Intelligence, Intuition and Insights that derive from the wisdom are what differentiates the best from worst users of data.

Wisdom let’s you understand the data based on source, quality, methodology, intent among others.

Trouble is that “wisdom” is not just an acquired degree from a top university.

Statistics fortunately or unfortunately becomes lot more important for the future generations. The new world will rely more and more on the data-driven AI and expert systems for the personal, business and societal improvements.

Blissful will be those who can differentiate between information from insights and wisdom.