Picturing the Uncertain World – How to Understand, Communicate, and Control Uncertainty through Graphical Display

Book Details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press

• Author: Howard Wainer

• Language: English

• Binding: Hardcover

• ISBN: 9780691137599

• Pages: 240

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches

About The Book

Picturing the Uncertain World by Howard Wainer is a captivating exploration of how graphical displays of data can help us navigate the ambiguity and uncertainty present in everyday life. Building on the success of his previous book, Graphic Discovery, Wainer takes readers on a fascinating journey into the world of data visualization.

Through a diverse selection of graphs, including poignant representations of historical events and even quirky cartoon pie charts, Wainer demonstrates how graphs can both clarify complex issues and, at times, mislead us. He discusses the misuse of graphs while showing how the visual communication of data can bring clarity to the most uncertain of situations.

From questions like "Are cancer rates higher in rural communities?" to "How can you prepare financially when you don’t know when you'll die?", this book illustrates how uncertainty plays a role in data interpretation and decision-making. Wainer’s engaging narrative also traces the development of graphical displays from the time of William Playfair to the present day, shedding light on the role these tools have played in shaping public understanding.

Key Features:

• In-depth exploration of graphical displays and their role in understanding uncertainty.

• Visually diverse sampling of real-world examples, from historical to modern-day applications.

• Insights into data visualization as a tool to navigate complex and ambiguous information.

• Analysis of poorly designed graphs and how they can mislead the public.

• Engaging writing style that makes complex ideas accessible to all readers.