In the power of numbers. How numbers control our life and mislead. Blau S.

The world is rule the numbers. More and more often, people make decisions, but mathematical models. In numbers, everything is measured - from our successes in the formation and work and the state of our health to the state of economics and the achievements of politics. But the numbers are not as objective as it might seem. In addition, we more willingly believe the numbers confirming our opinion, and easily discard those results that are contrary to our beliefs...

Analyzing examples of the treatment of numerical data in the fields of healthcare, politics, sociology, in scientific research, in commerce and in other areas and spilling light on a number of common misconceptions, the Dutch journalist, a numerical literacy specialist Sanna Blau calls to think critically and advises us to be more careful, whatever it is about - about everyday numbers that control our well -being, or About statistics that allow those who use it to achieve huge power and influence.

“The numbers affect what we drink, what we eat, where we work, how much we earn, where we live, with whom we are marriage , for whom we vote, how to solve the question whether to take a mortgage, how we pay for insurance. Moreover, they even affect whether we are ill or to recover, live or die. We have no choice; Even if we are not interested in numbers, the numbers control our life. The purpose of this book is to make the world of numbers less mysterious so that everyone can distinguish when the numbers are used correctly, and when they are abused. So that we can all ask: what role do we want to take away numbers in our lives? ”