I came across an article today in the NY Times, titled -- We have met the enemy and he is powerpoint.
In it, they present this image:
Plan for Afghanistan: A failure in data visualization
which was meant to convey the complexity of the military strategy in Afghanistan. Complexity was conveyed, but to what end? The key to effective data visualization is not to "convey complexity" but is instead to wrest clarity, order, or at the very least, some insight.
The General's reaction to this slide? “When we understand that slide, we’ll have won the war.”
Highlights from the NY Times article:
“PowerPoint makes us stupid,” Gen. James N. Mattis of the Marine Corps
“It’s dangerous because it can create the illusion of understanding and the illusion of control. Some problems in the world are not bullet-izable.” General McMaster
Ok, so this is a fail in data visualization. How about some successes?
This is still one of my favorites - a visualization of the credit crisis
Share your favorite data visualization.
Submitted by Jon Reil (not verified) on May 6, 2010 - 4:39pm.
I really like your example. One visualization I always go back to for inspiration is We Feel Fine. It's a beautiful visualization with real emotion.
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