200 years that changed the world…and other things

There are few things better than a good data visualization.* “Lies, damn lies, and statistics” aside, it’s one of the best ways I know to debunk dogma and put the universe into a bit more perspective. And, in the bargain, many are absolutely gorgeous works of art.

My friend Melissa over on Facebook found a siteful of very cool DVs this morning–yum. Somebody else chimed in with one of my favorites, Gapminder, a lovely collection of data explorations that is, not surprisingly, now owned by Google. I visit there every so often to see what’s up, hadn’t been there in awhile, so I sauntered in play with the latest.

Came across a piece from Hans Rosling that tracks countries’ health and wealth over the last 200 years. In about five minutes it gives a better picture of world advancement and geopolitical history than a dozen textbooks. Well worth watching. (And while you’re over there, glance at Rosling’s other piece, on the distribution of HIV. Fascinating stuff.)

I’ve been futzing with a DV of my own for the last 15 years or so, comparing the progress of communications…after seeing all this stuff, I’m getting inspired to get in there and finish it…

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*As you may suspect, Edward Tufte is still one of my heroes

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