A Date with Data — Issue 8
Happy Tuesday. These are our favorite stories about data from the past week, Sept. 17 — Sept. 23.
Seven endangered species that could (almost) fit in a single train carriage
Sept. 17, 2018
When we’re discussing a species’ potential extinction do we really get the urgency of the matter? Data journalist Mona Chalabi has painted the picture in a very striking way, by “squeezing” the remaining members of some near-extinct species in a New York subway carriage. She picked seven of the most threatened species according to the IUCN Red List 2018, the world’s most complete source on the conservation status of our planet’s species, to provide a snapshot of the magnitude of the problem. In every single case, humans are the source of evil — threatening the species’ survival through overhunting, irresponsible fishing, or introducing non-native species. THE GUARDIAN
How Connected Is Your Community to Everywhere Else in America?
Sept. 19, 2018
Out of sight, out of mind? A recent study by economists at Facebook, Harvard, Princeton and New York University showed that even in the age of the internet, distance matters. The data unit of The New York Times used the results of this study to create an interactive tool for readers so they can explore how close-knit their communities are. Although, nationwide, in the average county, more than half of Facebook friendships are between people who live within 100 miles of one another, there are a few exceptions to the rule. For example, coastal cities, such as New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, have close ties with one another, as do counties that were historically connected through the Great Migration of African Americans in the 20th century. THE UPSHOT — THE NEW YORK TIMES
Hello World: How to Be Human in the Age of the Machine
Sept. 2018
This month, in the office, we’ve been chatting about mathematician Hannah Fry’s new book on life in the age of algorithms. How much should we trust them, who is in control, and where do they hide? Hello World is not promising answers to these and other similar questions, but it offers an in-depth look at our code-driven world and data-loaded future. From algorithms that diagnose malignant tumors and suggest movies, to creepy insights about how much information data brokers have on us, Fry puts flesh to the bones of our notions around the promises and perils of AI. HANNAH FRY
How much does a pint of beer cost around the world?
Sept. 20, 2018
In anticipation of the opening of Octoberfest 2018 in Munich last weekend, the daily business newsletter Morning Brew, and the statistics portal Statista, analyzed data from Deutsche Bank to show us the average price of a pint of beer in different counties. Here’s what they came up with:
Too far away to enjoy a beer in Munich’s famous beer festival? Discover a brewery near you using this interactive map by the U.S. Brewers Association. MORNING BREW
That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading!
