Sometimes I wonder how numbers are regarded in journalism. From the outside it looks as if there was some cult around reproducing the exact string that the source uttered, but with no understanding.
In France, I have noticed that journalists often say they were very weak in mathematics. Probably there is some kind of education effect that drives smart people weak in mathematics toward journalism. People opinion is very much influenced by journalists and I wonder if this selection bias is the cause of the bad image of mathematics (difficult, disconnected from the real world, ...).
For example, an article might say someone travelled 1243 miles — very precise and authoritative journalism there. Of course, they were actually told they travelled 2000 km, clearly an approximation.
Comments
Sometimes I wonder how numbers are regarded in journalism. From the outside it looks as if there was some cult around reproducing the exact string that the source uttered, but with no understanding.
In France, I have noticed that journalists often say they were very weak in mathematics. Probably there is some kind of education effect that drives smart people weak in mathematics toward journalism. People opinion is very much influenced by journalists and I wonder if this selection bias is the cause of the bad image of mathematics (difficult, disconnected from the real world, ...).
False precision annoys me.
For example, an article might say someone travelled 1243 miles — very precise and authoritative journalism there. Of course, they were actually told they travelled 2000 km, clearly an approximation.
Having been quoted in a newspaper article once, I can attest that journalists don't always care about precision when reproducing utterances.
Let's put journalists interview quotes on the blockchain! Then they can't be faked and everyone can ensure they are real!
/s
Usually the exact string but with a conversion to Olympic swimming pools, London busses, Empire State buildings or other helpful units.
Length: Football fields
Capacity: Olympic-sized swimming pools