The Ultimate Truth: Statistics Are the Devil’s Playground
About 53% of readers will find this funny, while 15% will find it offensive, and 32% will be undecided.
One of my friends often says, “About 72% of statistics are made up on the spot.”
There’s no science to back up his claim, and he doesn’t always use 72 as his number. Still, I can’t help but think there’s a lot of truth is his statement.
For the last few weeks, I’ve been reading a lot about new year’s resolutions. I’ve seen stats saying 50–90% fail in the first week, month, or quarter of the year.
Really?
Who’s making up that number?
Even if the stats are poll-related, how can they be accurate? How many people are honestly admitting they had resolutions or how long they kept them?
Doctor House’s voice rings in my ears, “Everybody lies.”
Am I going to tell you how long I really stuck to my diet resolution? I might push the poll button saying I made it three weeks, because that’s how long I’ve read other people lasted.
In reality, I probably lasted 12 hours (curse you, Krispy Kreme!), but I’m too embarrassed to enter that in a poll.
