Good Numbers, Bad Numbers

In politics, as in work and life generally, I’m a longtime fan of getting the right numbers, getting the numbers right, and understanding what they tell us and what they don’t. My recent essay, Water Bills, Fees, and Our Politics, applied that to local politics.

It also left me thinking that some illustrative, more general examples might be useful or at least fun. They’re not all from politics, let alone the current local election cycle.

Using Numbers Wrong

Let’s warm up with a softball.

The other day, I saw something like this floating around the Internet (I’m paraphrasing): “An orchestra consisting of 80 musicians can play a Beethoven symphony in 30 minutes. How many minutes would it take an orchestra of 120 musicians to play the same symphony?”

orchestra

If you don’t think about the situation, you might just make a calculation and say 20 minutes. Your math would be right, but your answer would be wrong. A moment’s consideration will reveal the obvious: the number of minutes will be approximately the same, no matter what size the orchestra. It’s not like asking how many more Toyota Tundras you can make if you have three identical, adequately staffed and supplied Tundra factories instead of two.

Proofreading and Politics in Draper

Here’s a headline from yesterday’s Salt Lake Tribune: “Draper to hire independent investigator to review councilwoman’s e-mails.”

Hmm. Sounds serious.

Here’s the story’s first paragraph: “The Draper City Council has authorized the city attorney to hire outside counsel to determine whether Councilwoman Michele Weeks violated any ethics rules or laws when she used a city employee to proofread emails unrelated to her official duties.”

They had me until I read the word “proofread.”

Draper City Councilwoman Michele Weeks
Draper City Councilwoman Michele Weeks

Basic Economics for Ordinary People

To be well informed, the average citizen doesn’t have to digest thick, heavy economics textbooks which are full of calculus. That’s the good news. Here’s the better news: there are some superb explanations of economics in very readable books, with little or no math. Here are some of the best I’ve found.

Links are to my Amazon store, in case you want to buy a book for yourself, a loved one, or your local library. Your purchase helps support this site.

These two books by Thomas Sowell, studied in order, form a superb introduction to economics and economic policy. Sowell is a master at explaining things without delving into difficult math — or much math at all, really. These are the first two books I recommend for any citizen who wants to understand economics sufficiently to comprehend current issues and to help a nation to remain free. They are surprisingly pleasant reading.

Others have recommended this introductory work; it’s in my pile of books to read:

I highly recommend this classic explanation of capitalism — that is, economic freedom:

Further suggestions are welcome, as are your thoughts on these books.