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About this quote

What does it mean?
Numbers are just tools in small groups but become unquestionable truths in educated societies.
In plain terms
Statistics seem magical and perfect in modern culture.
What can you take from it?
Question data that seems absolute.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • news consumption
  • business analysis

Putting it to work

  • critique statistics
  • verify sources
  • understand context

Questions to consider

  • When do you trust numbers?
  • Why do we believe stats?

Another view

Some data is reliable and essential for decision making.

More from Marshall McLuhan

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  3. Only puny secrets need protection. Big discoveries are protected by public incredulity. (p.92)

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