How to pronounce "flattens"

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it feels like we're all suffering from

it feels like we're all suffering from

it feels like we're all suffering from information overload or data glut and

information overload or data glut and

information overload or data glut and the good news is there might be an easy

the good news is there might be an easy

the good news is there might be an easy solution to that and that's using our

solution to that and that's using our

solution to that and that's using our eyes more so visualizing information so

eyes more so visualizing information so

eyes more so visualizing information so that we can see the patterns and

that we can see the patterns and

that we can see the patterns and connections that matter and then design

connections that matter and then design

connections that matter and then design in that information so it makes more

in that information so it makes more

in that information so it makes more sense or it tells a story or allows us

sense or it tells a story or allows us

sense or it tells a story or allows us to focus only on the information that's

to focus only on the information that's

to focus only on the information that's important failing that visualized

important failing that visualized

important failing that visualized information can just look really cool so

information can just look really cool so

information can just look really cool so let's

let's

let's see this is the billion dollar a gram

see this is the billion dollar a gram

see this is the billion dollar a gram and this image arose out of frustration

and this image arose out of frustration

and this image arose out of frustration I had with the reporting a billion

I had with the reporting a billion

I had with the reporting a billion dollar amounts in the press that is

dollar amounts in the press that is

dollar amounts in the press that is they're meaningless without context 500

they're meaningless without context 500

they're meaningless without context 500 billion for this pipeline 20 billion for

billion for this pipeline 20 billion for

billion for this pipeline 20 billion for this war it doesn't make any sense so

this war it doesn't make any sense so

this war it doesn't make any sense so the only way to understand it is

the only way to understand it is

the only way to understand it is visually and relatively so I scraped a

visually and relatively so I scraped a

visually and relatively so I scraped a load of reported figures from various

load of reported figures from various

load of reported figures from various news outlets and then scaled the boxes

news outlets and then scaled the boxes

news outlets and then scaled the boxes according to those amounts and the

according to those amounts and the

according to those amounts and the colors here represent the motivation

colors here represent the motivation

colors here represent the motivation behind the money so purple is uh

behind the money so purple is uh

behind the money so purple is uh fighting and red is giving money away

fighting and red is giving money away

fighting and red is giving money away and green is profiteering and what you

and green is profiteering and what you

and green is profiteering and what you can see straight away is you start to

can see straight away is you start to

can see straight away is you start to have a different relationship to the

have a different relationship to the

have a different relationship to the numbers you can literally see them but

numbers you can literally see them but

numbers you can literally see them but more importantly you start to see

more importantly you start to see

more importantly you start to see patterns and connections between numbers

patterns and connections between numbers

patterns and connections between numbers that would otherwise be scattered across

that would otherwise be scattered across

that would otherwise be scattered across multiple news reports let me point out

multiple news reports let me point out

multiple news reports let me point out some that I really like this is opec's

some that I really like this is opec's

some that I really like this is opec's revenue this green box here 780 billion

revenue this green box here 780 billion

revenue this green box here 780 billion a year and this little pixel in the

a year and this little pixel in the

a year and this little pixel in the corner 3 billion that's their climate

corner 3 billion that's their climate

corner 3 billion that's their climate change

change

change fund Americans incredibly generous

fund Americans incredibly generous

fund Americans incredibly generous people over 300 billion a year donated

people over 300 billion a year donated

people over 300 billion a year donated to charity every year compared with the

to charity every year compared with the

to charity every year compared with the amount of foreign aid given by the top

amount of foreign aid given by the top

amount of foreign aid given by the top 17 industrialized nations at 120 billion

17 industrialized nations at 120 billion

17 industrialized nations at 120 billion and then of course the Iraq War predict

and then of course the Iraq War predict

and then of course the Iraq War predict icted to cost just 60 billion back in

icted to cost just 60 billion back in

icted to cost just 60 billion back in 2003 and the mushroom slightly

2003 and the mushroom slightly

2003 and the mushroom slightly Afghanistan and Iraq mushroom now to

Afghanistan and Iraq mushroom now to

Afghanistan and Iraq mushroom now to 3,000

3,000

3,000 billion so now it's great now we have

billion so now it's great now we have

billion so now it's great now we have this texture and we can add numbers to

this texture and we can add numbers to

this texture and we can add numbers to it as well so we can say well new figure

it as well so we can say well new figure

it as well so we can say well new figure comes out let's see African debt how

comes out let's see African debt how

comes out let's see African debt how much of this diagram do you think might

much of this diagram do you think might

much of this diagram do you think might be taken up by the debt that Africa owes

be taken up by the debt that Africa owes

be taken up by the debt that Africa owes to the West let's take a look so there

to the West let's take a look so there

to the West let's take a look so there it is 227 billion is what Africa owes

it is 227 billion is what Africa owes

it is 227 billion is what Africa owes and the recent financial crisis how much

and the recent financial crisis how much

and the recent financial crisis how much of this diagram might that figure take

of this diagram might that figure take

of this diagram might that figure take up that what does that cost the world

up that what does that cost the world

up that what does that cost the world let's take a look at that douche which I

let's take a look at that douche which I

let's take a look at that douche which I think is the appropriate sound effect

think is the appropriate sound effect

think is the appropriate sound effect from that much

from that much

from that much money

money

money 11,900

11,900

11,900 billion so by visualizing this

billion so by visualizing this

billion so by visualizing this information we turned it into a

information we turned it into a

information we turned it into a landscape that you can explore with your

landscape that you can explore with your

landscape that you can explore with your eyes a kind of map really a sort of

eyes a kind of map really a sort of

eyes a kind of map really a sort of information map when you're lost in

information map when you're lost in

information map when you're lost in information an information map is kind

information an information map is kind

information an information map is kind of

of

of useful so I want to show you another

useful so I want to show you another

useful so I want to show you another landscape now I need to imagine what a

landscape now I need to imagine what a

landscape now I need to imagine what a landscape of the world's fears might

landscape of the world's fears might

landscape of the world's fears might look like let's take a look this is

look like let's take a look this is

look like let's take a look this is mountains out of mle Hills a timeline of

mountains out of mle Hills a timeline of

mountains out of mle Hills a timeline of global media

global media

global media Panic so I'll label this for you in a

Panic so I'll label this for you in a

Panic so I'll label this for you in a second but the height here I want to

second but the height here I want to

second but the height here I want to point out is the intensity of certain

point out is the intensity of certain

point out is the intensity of certain fears in as reported in the media let me

fears in as reported in the media let me

fears in as reported in the media let me Point them out so this swine flu

Point them out so this swine flu

Point them out so this swine flu pink bird

pink bird

pink bird flu s brownish here remember that one

flu s brownish here remember that one

flu s brownish here remember that one the millennium

the millennium

the millennium bug terrible disaster uh these little

bug terrible disaster uh these little

bug terrible disaster uh these little green Peaks are asteroid

green Peaks are asteroid

green Peaks are asteroid collisions and in summer here killer

[Laughter]

wasps so these are what our fears look

wasps so these are what our fears look

wasps so these are what our fears look like over time in a media um but what I

like over time in a media um but what I

like over time in a media um but what I love and I'm a journalist and what I

love and I'm a journalist and what I

love and I'm a journalist and what I love is finding hidden patterns I love

love is finding hidden patterns I love

love is finding hidden patterns I love being a data detective and there's a

being a data detective and there's a

being a data detective and there's a very interesting and odd pattern hidden

very interesting and odd pattern hidden

very interesting and odd pattern hidden in this data that you can only see when

in this data that you can only see when

in this data that you can only see when you visualize it let me highlight it for

you visualize it let me highlight it for

you visualize it let me highlight it for you see this line This is a landscape

you see this line This is a landscape

you see this line This is a landscape for violent video games as you can see

for violent video games as you can see

for violent video games as you can see there's a kind of odd regular pattern in

there's a kind of odd regular pattern in

there's a kind of odd regular pattern in the data Twin Peaks every year if we

the data Twin Peaks every year if we

the data Twin Peaks every year if we look closer we see those Peaks occur at

look closer we see those Peaks occur at

look closer we see those Peaks occur at the same month every year why well

the same month every year why well

the same month every year why well November Christmas video games come out

November Christmas video games come out

November Christmas video games come out and there may well be an upsurge and

and there may well be an upsurge and

and there may well be an upsurge and concern about their content but April

concern about their content but April

concern about their content but April isn't a particularly massive month for

isn't a particularly massive month for

isn't a particularly massive month for um video games why April well in April

um video games why April well in April

um video games why April well in April 1999 was the Columbine shooting and

1999 was the Columbine shooting and

1999 was the Columbine shooting and since then that fear has been remembered

since then that fear has been remembered

since then that fear has been remembered by the media and Echoes through the

by the media and Echoes through the

by the media and Echoes through the group mind gradually through the year

group mind gradually through the year

group mind gradually through the year you have retrospectives anniversaries

you have retrospectives anniversaries

you have retrospectives anniversaries court cases even copycat shootings all

court cases even copycat shootings all

court cases even copycat shootings all pushing that fear into the

pushing that fear into the

pushing that fear into the agenda and there's another pattern here

agenda and there's another pattern here

agenda and there's another pattern here as well can you spot it see that Gap

as well can you spot it see that Gap

as well can you spot it see that Gap there there's a gap and it affects all

there there's a gap and it affects all

there there's a gap and it affects all the other stor

the other stor

the other stor why is there a Gap there you see where

why is there a Gap there you see where

why is there a Gap there you see where it starts September 2001 when we had

it starts September 2001 when we had

it starts September 2001 when we had something very real to be scared

something very real to be scared

something very real to be scared about so I've been working as a data

about so I've been working as a data

about so I've been working as a data journalist for about a year and I keep

journalist for about a year and I keep

journalist for about a year and I keep hearing a

hearing a

hearing a phrase all the time which is this data

phrase all the time which is this data

phrase all the time which is this data is the new

is the new

is the new oil and data is a kind of ubiquitous

oil and data is a kind of ubiquitous

oil and data is a kind of ubiquitous resource that we can shape to provide

resource that we can shape to provide

resource that we can shape to provide new Innovations and new insights and

new Innovations and new insights and

new Innovations and new insights and it's all around us and it can be mined

it's all around us and it can be mined

it's all around us and it can be mined very easily and it's not a particular

very easily and it's not a particular

very easily and it's not a particular great metaphor in these times especially

great metaphor in these times especially

great metaphor in these times especially you live around the Gulf of Mexico but I

you live around the Gulf of Mexico but I

you live around the Gulf of Mexico but I would perhaps adapt this metaphor

would perhaps adapt this metaphor

would perhaps adapt this metaphor slightly and I would say the data is the

slightly and I would say the data is the

slightly and I would say the data is the new

new

new soil because for me it feels like a

soil because for me it feels like a

soil because for me it feels like a fertile creative medium you over the

fertile creative medium you over the

fertile creative medium you over the years online we've laid down um a huge

years online we've laid down um a huge

years online we've laid down um a huge amount of information and data and we

amount of information and data and we

amount of information and data and we irrigated with networks and connectivity

irrigated with networks and connectivity

irrigated with networks and connectivity and it's been worked and tilled by

and it's been worked and tilled by

and it's been worked and tilled by unpaid workers and governments and all

unpaid workers and governments and all

unpaid workers and governments and all right I'm kind of milking the metaphor a

right I'm kind of milking the metaphor a

right I'm kind of milking the metaphor a little bit but it's it's a really first

little bit but it's it's a really first

little bit but it's it's a really first fertile medium and it feels like

fertile medium and it feels like

fertile medium and it feels like visualizations infographics data

visualizations infographics data

visualizations infographics data visualizations they feel like flowers

visualizations they feel like flowers

visualizations they feel like flowers blooming from this medium but if you

blooming from this medium but if you

blooming from this medium but if you look at it directly it's just a load of

look at it directly it's just a load of

look at it directly it's just a load of numbers and disconnected facts but if

numbers and disconnected facts but if

numbers and disconnected facts but if you start working with it and playing

you start working with it and playing

you start working with it and playing with it in a certain way interesting

with it in a certain way interesting

with it in a certain way interesting things can appear and and different

things can appear and and different

things can appear and and different patterns can be revealed let me show you

patterns can be revealed let me show you

patterns can be revealed let me show you this can you guess what this data set is

this can you guess what this data set is

this can you guess what this data set is what Rises twice a year once in Easter

what Rises twice a year once in Easter

what Rises twice a year once in Easter and then two weeks before Christmas has

and then two weeks before Christmas has

and then two weeks before Christmas has a mini Peak every Monday and then

a mini Peak every Monday and then

a mini Peak every Monday and then flattens out over the summer I'll take

flattens out over the summer I'll take

flattens out over the summer I'll take answers chocolate you might want to get

answers chocolate you might want to get

answers chocolate you might want to get some chocolate in any other

some chocolate in any other

some chocolate in any other guesses shopping uh yeah retail therapy

guesses shopping uh yeah retail therapy

guesses shopping uh yeah retail therapy might

might

might help sick cleave yeah you'll definitely

help sick cleave yeah you'll definitely

help sick cleave yeah you'll definitely want to take some time off should we

see

so uh information Guru Lee Byron and

so uh information Guru Lee Byron and

so uh information Guru Lee Byron and myself we scraped 10,000 status Facebook

myself we scraped 10,000 status Facebook

myself we scraped 10,000 status Facebook updates for the phrase break up and

updates for the phrase break up and

updates for the phrase break up and broken up and this was the pattern we

broken up and this was the pattern we

broken up and this was the pattern we found people clearing out for spring

break uh coming out of very bad weekends

break uh coming out of very bad weekends

break uh coming out of very bad weekends on the Monday being single over the

on the Monday being single over the

on the Monday being single over the summer and then the lowest day of the

summer and then the lowest day of the

summer and then the lowest day of the year of course Christmas Day who would

year of course Christmas Day who would

year of course Christmas Day who would do

do

do that so there's a Titanic amount of data

that so there's a Titanic amount of data

that so there's a Titanic amount of data out there now

out there now

out there now unprecedented uh but if you ask the

unprecedented uh but if you ask the

unprecedented uh but if you ask the right kind of question or you work it in

right kind of question or you work it in

right kind of question or you work it in the right kind of way interesting things

the right kind of way interesting things

the right kind of way interesting things can

can

can emerge so um information is beautiful

emerge so um information is beautiful

emerge so um information is beautiful data is beautiful I wonder if I could

data is beautiful I wonder if I could

data is beautiful I wonder if I could make my life beautiful and here's my

make my life beautiful and here's my

make my life beautiful and here's my visual CV I'm not quite sure I've

visual CV I'm not quite sure I've

visual CV I'm not quite sure I've succeeded pretty blocky colors aren't

succeeded pretty blocky colors aren't

succeeded pretty blocky colors aren't that great but I wanted to convey

that great but I wanted to convey

that great but I wanted to convey something to you um you know started as

something to you um you know started as

something to you um you know started as a programmer and then I worked as a

a programmer and then I worked as a

a programmer and then I worked as a writer for many years about 20 years in

writer for many years about 20 years in

writer for many years about 20 years in print online and in advertising and only

print online and in advertising and only

print online and in advertising and only recently have I started designing and uh

recently have I started designing and uh

recently have I started designing and uh I've never been to design school I've

I've never been to design school I've

I've never been to design school I've never studied arts or anything I just

never studied arts or anything I just

never studied arts or anything I just kind of learned through doing U and when

kind of learned through doing U and when

kind of learned through doing U and when I started designing an odd I've

I started designing an odd I've

I started designing an odd I've discovered an odd thing about myself I

discovered an odd thing about myself I

discovered an odd thing about myself I already knew how to

already knew how to

already knew how to design but it wasn't like I was imedi

design but it wasn't like I was imedi

design but it wasn't like I was imedi amazingly brilliant at it but more like

amazingly brilliant at it but more like

amazingly brilliant at it but more like I was sensitive to the um the ideas of

I was sensitive to the um the ideas of

I was sensitive to the um the ideas of grids and space and alignment and

grids and space and alignment and

grids and space and alignment and typography

typography

typography it's almost like being exposed to all

it's almost like being exposed to all

it's almost like being exposed to all this media over the years had instilled

this media over the years had instilled

this media over the years had instilled a kind of dormant design literacy in me

a kind of dormant design literacy in me

a kind of dormant design literacy in me um and I don't feel like I'm unique I

um and I don't feel like I'm unique I

um and I don't feel like I'm unique I feel like every day all of us now are

feel like every day all of us now are

feel like every day all of us now are being blasted by information design it's

being blasted by information design it's

being blasted by information design it's being poured into our eyes through the

being poured into our eyes through the

being poured into our eyes through the web and we're all visualizers now we're

web and we're all visualizers now we're

web and we're all visualizers now we're all demanding a visual aspect to our

all demanding a visual aspect to our

all demanding a visual aspect to our information um and there's something

information um and there's something

information um and there's something almost quite magical about visual

almost quite magical about visual

almost quite magical about visual information it's it's effortless it

information it's it's effortless it

information it's it's effortless it literally pours it in

literally pours it in

literally pours it in and if you're in navigating a dense

and if you're in navigating a dense

and if you're in navigating a dense information jungle coming across a

information jungle coming across a

information jungle coming across a beautiful graphic or a lovely data

beautiful graphic or a lovely data

beautiful graphic or a lovely data visualization it's a relief it's like

visualization it's a relief it's like

visualization it's a relief it's like coming across a clearing in the jungle

coming across a clearing in the jungle

coming across a clearing in the jungle and I was curious about this so I it led

and I was curious about this so I it led

and I was curious about this so I it led me to the work of a Danish physicist

me to the work of a Danish physicist

me to the work of a Danish physicist called to nor tras and he converted the

called to nor tras and he converted the

called to nor tras and he converted the bandwidth of the senses into computer

bandwidth of the senses into computer

bandwidth of the senses into computer terms so here we go this is your senses

terms so here we go this is your senses

terms so here we go this is your senses pouring into your senses every second

pouring into your senses every second

pouring into your senses every second your sense of sight is the fastest it

your sense of sight is the fastest it

your sense of sight is the fastest it has the same bandwidth as a computer

has the same bandwidth as a computer

has the same bandwidth as a computer network then you have touch which about

network then you have touch which about

network then you have touch which about the speed of a USB key and then you have

the speed of a USB key and then you have

the speed of a USB key and then you have hearing and smell which is the

hearing and smell which is the

hearing and smell which is the throughput of a hard disk and then you

throughput of a hard disk and then you

throughput of a hard disk and then you have poor old taste which is like rarely

have poor old taste which is like rarely

have poor old taste which is like rarely the throughput of a pocket calculator

the throughput of a pocket calculator

the throughput of a pocket calculator and that little square in the corner

and that little square in the corner

and that little square in the corner 0.7% that's the amount we're actually

0.7% that's the amount we're actually

0.7% that's the amount we're actually aware of so a lot of your vision is

aware of so a lot of your vision is

aware of so a lot of your vision is pouring the bulk of it is Visual and

pouring the bulk of it is Visual and

pouring the bulk of it is Visual and it's pouring in it's

it's pouring in it's

it's pouring in it's unconscious and the eye is exquisitly

unconscious and the eye is exquisitly

unconscious and the eye is exquisitly sensitive to patterns in variations in

sensitive to patterns in variations in

sensitive to patterns in variations in color shapee and pattern it loves them

color shapee and pattern it loves them

color shapee and pattern it loves them it calls them beautiful it's the

it calls them beautiful it's the

it calls them beautiful it's the language of the eye and if you combine

language of the eye and if you combine

language of the eye and if you combine the language of the eye with the

the language of the eye with the

the language of the eye with the language of the mind which is about

language of the mind which is about

language of the mind which is about words and numbers and Concepts you start

words and numbers and Concepts you start

words and numbers and Concepts you start speaking two languages simultaneously

speaking two languages simultaneously

speaking two languages simultaneously each enhancing the

each enhancing the

each enhancing the other so you have the I and then you

other so you have the I and then you

other so you have the I and then you drop in the concepts and that whole

drop in the concepts and that whole

drop in the concepts and that whole thing it's two languages both working at

thing it's two languages both working at

thing it's two languages both working at the same time so we can use this new

the same time so we can use this new

the same time so we can use this new kind of language if you'd like to alter

kind of language if you'd like to alter

kind of language if you'd like to alter our perspective or change our views let

our perspective or change our views let

our perspective or change our views let me ask you a simple question with a

me ask you a simple question with a

me ask you a simple question with a really simple simp Le answer who has the

really simple simp Le answer who has the

really simple simp Le answer who has the biggest military budget it's got to be

biggest military budget it's got to be

biggest military budget it's got to be America right massive 609 billion in

America right massive 609 billion in

America right massive 609 billion in 2008 607 rather so massive in fact that

2008 607 rather so massive in fact that

2008 607 rather so massive in fact that it can contain all the other military

it can contain all the other military

it can contain all the other military budgets in the world inside itself

budgets in the world inside itself

budgets in the world inside itself gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble now

gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble now

gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble now you can see Africa's total debt there

you can see Africa's total debt there

you can see Africa's total debt there and the UK budget deficit for reference

and the UK budget deficit for reference

and the UK budget deficit for reference so that might well chime with your view

so that might well chime with your view

so that might well chime with your view that America is um a sort of

that America is um a sort of

that America is um a sort of warmongering military machine out to

warmongering military machine out to

warmongering military machine out to overpower the world with its huge

overpower the world with its huge

overpower the world with its huge Industrial military complex but is it

Industrial military complex but is it

Industrial military complex but is it true that America has the biggest

true that America has the biggest

true that America has the biggest military budget because America is

military budget because America is

military budget because America is incredibly rich country in fact it's so

incredibly rich country in fact it's so

incredibly rich country in fact it's so massively Rich that it can contain the

massively Rich that it can contain the

massively Rich that it can contain the four other top industrialized nations

four other top industrialized nations

four other top industrialized nations economies inside itself it's so vastly

economies inside itself it's so vastly

economies inside itself it's so vastly rich so its military budget is bound to

rich so its military budget is bound to

rich so its military budget is bound to be enormous so to be fair and to alter

be enormous so to be fair and to alter

be enormous so to be fair and to alter our perspective we have to bring in

our perspective we have to bring in

our perspective we have to bring in another data set that data set is GDP or

another data set that data set is GDP or

another data set that data set is GDP or what the country is earning who has the

what the country is earning who has the

what the country is earning who has the biggest budget as a proportion of GDP

biggest budget as a proportion of GDP

biggest budget as a proportion of GDP let's have a look that changes the

let's have a look that changes the

let's have a look that changes the picture

picture

picture considerably other countries pop into

considerably other countries pop into

considerably other countries pop into view that you perhaps weren't

view that you perhaps weren't

view that you perhaps weren't considering and America drops into eth

considering and America drops into eth

considering and America drops into eth and you can also do this with soldiers

and you can also do this with soldiers

and you can also do this with soldiers who has the most soldiers it's got to be

who has the most soldiers it's got to be

who has the most soldiers it's got to be China of course 2.1 million again

China of course 2.1 million again

China of course 2.1 million again chiming with your view that China has a

chiming with your view that China has a

chiming with your view that China has a militarized regime ready to you know

militarized regime ready to you know

militarized regime ready to you know mobilize its enormous forces but of

mobilize its enormous forces but of

mobilize its enormous forces but of course China has enormous population so

course China has enormous population so

course China has enormous population so if we do the same we see a radically

if we do the same we see a radically

if we do the same we see a radically different picture China drops to 124th

different picture China drops to 124th

different picture China drops to 124th it actually has a tiny Army

it actually has a tiny Army

it actually has a tiny Army when you take other data into

when you take other data into

when you take other data into consideration so absolute figures like

consideration so absolute figures like

consideration so absolute figures like the military budget in a connected World

the military budget in a connected World

the military budget in a connected World kind of don't give you the whole picture

kind of don't give you the whole picture

kind of don't give you the whole picture they're not as true as they could be we

they're not as true as they could be we

they're not as true as they could be we need relative figures that are connected

need relative figures that are connected

need relative figures that are connected to other data so that we can see a

to other data so that we can see a

to other data so that we can see a fuller picture and then that can lead to

fuller picture and then that can lead to

fuller picture and then that can lead to US changing our perspective as Hans

US changing our perspective as Hans

US changing our perspective as Hans rosling the master my master said um let

rosling the master my master said um let

rosling the master my master said um let the data set change your

the data set change your

the data set change your mindset and if they can do that maybe it

mindset and if they can do that maybe it

mindset and if they can do that maybe it can also change your behavior take a

can also change your behavior take a

can also change your behavior take a look at this one I'm a bit of a health

look at this one I'm a bit of a health

look at this one I'm a bit of a health nut I love kind of like taking

nut I love kind of like taking

nut I love kind of like taking supplements and being fit but I can

supplements and being fit but I can

supplements and being fit but I can never understand what's going on in

never understand what's going on in

never understand what's going on in terms of evidence there's always

terms of evidence there's always

terms of evidence there's always conflicting evidence should I take

conflicting evidence should I take

conflicting evidence should I take vitamin C should we Tak in wheat grass

vitamin C should we Tak in wheat grass

vitamin C should we Tak in wheat grass so this is the visualization of all the

so this is the visualization of all the

so this is the visualization of all the evidence for nutritional supplements

evidence for nutritional supplements

evidence for nutritional supplements this this kind of diagram is called a

this this kind of diagram is called a

this this kind of diagram is called a balloon race so the higher up the image

balloon race so the higher up the image

balloon race so the higher up the image the more evidence there is for each

the more evidence there is for each

the more evidence there is for each supplement and the bubbles correspond to

supplement and the bubbles correspond to

supplement and the bubbles correspond to popularity as regards to Google hits so

popularity as regards to Google hits so

popularity as regards to Google hits so you can kind of immediately apprehend

you can kind of immediately apprehend

you can kind of immediately apprehend the relationship between efficacy and

the relationship between efficacy and

the relationship between efficacy and popularity but you can also if you grade

popularity but you can also if you grade

popularity but you can also if you grade the evidence sort of do a worth it line

the evidence sort of do a worth it line

the evidence sort of do a worth it line and so supplements above this line are

and so supplements above this line are

and so supplements above this line are worth investigating but only for the

worth investigating but only for the

worth investigating but only for the conditions listed below and then

conditions listed below and then

conditions listed below and then supplements below the line are perhaps

supplements below the line are perhaps

supplements below the line are perhaps not worth

not worth

not worth investigating now this image constitutes

investigating now this image constitutes

investigating now this image constitutes a huge amount of work we scraped uh like

a huge amount of work we scraped uh like

a huge amount of work we scraped uh like 1,000 studies from PubMed the biomedical

1,000 studies from PubMed the biomedical

1,000 studies from PubMed the biomedical database and we compiled them and graded

database and we compiled them and graded

database and we compiled them and graded them all and it was incredibly

them all and it was incredibly

them all and it was incredibly frustrating for me because I had a book

frustrating for me because I had a book

frustrating for me because I had a book of 250 visualizations to do for my book

of 250 visualizations to do for my book

of 250 visualizations to do for my book and I spent a month doing this and I'd

and I spent a month doing this and I'd

and I spent a month doing this and I'd only filled two

only filled two

only filled two pages but what it points to is that

pages but what it points to is that

pages but what it points to is that visualizing information like this is a

visualizing information like this is a

visualizing information like this is a is a form of of knowledge compression

is a form of of knowledge compression

is a form of of knowledge compression it's a way of squeezing an enormous

it's a way of squeezing an enormous

it's a way of squeezing an enormous amount of information and understanding

amount of information and understanding

amount of information and understanding into a small

into a small

into a small space and once you've curated that data

space and once you've curated that data

space and once you've curated that data and once you clean that data and once

and once you clean that data and once

and once you clean that data and once it's there you can do cool stuff like

it's there you can do cool stuff like

it's there you can do cool stuff like this so I converted this into to an

this so I converted this into to an

this so I converted this into to an interactive app so I can now generate

interactive app so I can now generate

interactive app so I can now generate this application online this

this application online this

this application online this visualization online and I can say yeah

visualization online and I can say yeah

visualization online and I can say yeah brilliant so it's it spawns itself and

brilliant so it's it spawns itself and

brilliant so it's it spawns itself and then I can say well just show me the

then I can say well just show me the

then I can say well just show me the stuff that affects heart health so let's

stuff that affects heart health so let's

stuff that affects heart health so let's filter that out so heart has filled out

filter that out so heart has filled out

filter that out so heart has filled out so I can see if I'm curious about that I

so I can see if I'm curious about that I

so I can see if I'm curious about that I think no no I don't want to take any

think no no I don't want to take any

think no no I don't want to take any synthetics I just want to see plants and

synthetics I just want to see plants and

synthetics I just want to see plants and and uh just show me herbs and plants and

and uh just show me herbs and plants and

and uh just show me herbs and plants and we go all the natural ingredients now

we go all the natural ingredients now

we go all the natural ingredients now this app is spawning itself from the dat

this app is spawning itself from the dat

this app is spawning itself from the dat the data is all stored in a Google doc

the data is all stored in a Google doc

the data is all stored in a Google doc and it's literally generating itself

and it's literally generating itself

and it's literally generating itself from that data so the data is now alive

from that data so the data is now alive

from that data so the data is now alive this is a living image and I can update

this is a living image and I can update

this is a living image and I can update in a second new evidence comes out I

in a second new evidence comes out I

in a second new evidence comes out I just changed a row on a spreadsheet

just changed a row on a spreadsheet

just changed a row on a spreadsheet douche again this the image re recreates

douche again this the image re recreates

douche again this the image re recreates itself so it's cool it's it's kind of

itself so it's cool it's it's kind of

itself so it's cool it's it's kind of living um but it kind of can go beyond

living um but it kind of can go beyond

living um but it kind of can go beyond data and it can go beyond numbers and I

data and it can go beyond numbers and I

data and it can go beyond numbers and I like to apply information visualization

like to apply information visualization

like to apply information visualization to ideas and

to ideas and

to ideas and Concepts this this is a visualization of

Concepts this this is a visualization of

Concepts this this is a visualization of the political Spectrum an attempt for me

the political Spectrum an attempt for me

the political Spectrum an attempt for me to try and understand how it works and

to try and understand how it works and

to try and understand how it works and how the ideas percolate down from

how the ideas percolate down from

how the ideas percolate down from government into society and culture into

government into society and culture into

government into society and culture into families into individuals into their

families into individuals into their

families into individuals into their beliefs and then back round again in a

beliefs and then back round again in a

beliefs and then back round again in a cycle what I love about this image is

cycle what I love about this image is

cycle what I love about this image is it's it's made up of Concepts it

it's it's made up of Concepts it

it's it's made up of Concepts it explores our worldviews and it helps us

explores our worldviews and it helps us

explores our worldviews and it helps us was helps me anyway to see what others

was helps me anyway to see what others

was helps me anyway to see what others think and to see where they're coming

think and to see where they're coming

think and to see where they're coming from and it feels just incredibly cool

from and it feels just incredibly cool

from and it feels just incredibly cool to do that and what was most exciting

to do that and what was most exciting

to do that and what was most exciting for me designing this was that when I

for me designing this was that when I

for me designing this was that when I was designing this image I desperately

was designing this image I desperately

was designing this image I desperately wanted this side the left side to be

wanted this side the left side to be

wanted this side the left side to be better than the right side being kind of

better than the right side being kind of

better than the right side being kind of journalist left leaning

journalist left leaning

journalist left leaning person but I couldn't because I would

person but I couldn't because I would

person but I couldn't because I would have created a lopsided biased diagram

have created a lopsided biased diagram

have created a lopsided biased diagram so in order to really create a full

so in order to really create a full

so in order to really create a full image I had to honor the perspectives on

image I had to honor the perspectives on

image I had to honor the perspectives on the right hand side and at the same time

the right hand side and at the same time

the right hand side and at the same time kind of comfortably recognize how many

kind of comfortably recognize how many

kind of comfortably recognize how many of those qualities were actually in me

of those qualities were actually in me

of those qualities were actually in me which is very very annoying and

uncomfortable but not too uncomfortable

uncomfortable but not too uncomfortable

uncomfortable but not too uncomfortable because there's

because there's

because there's something unthreatening about seeing a

something unthreatening about seeing a

something unthreatening about seeing a political perspective versus being told

political perspective versus being told

political perspective versus being told or forced to listen to one it's actually

or forced to listen to one it's actually

or forced to listen to one it's actually you're capable of holding conflicting

you're capable of holding conflicting

you're capable of holding conflicting viewpoints joyously when you can see

viewpoints joyously when you can see

viewpoints joyously when you can see them it's even fun to engage with them

them it's even fun to engage with them

them it's even fun to engage with them because it's

because it's

because it's visual so that's sort exciting for me

visual so that's sort exciting for me

visual so that's sort exciting for me seeing how data can change my

seeing how data can change my

seeing how data can change my perspective and change my mind Midstream

perspective and change my mind Midstream

perspective and change my mind Midstream beautiful lovely

beautiful lovely

beautiful lovely data

data

data so just to wrap up I wanted to say that

so just to wrap up I wanted to say that

so just to wrap up I wanted to say that it feels to me that design is about

it feels to me that design is about

it feels to me that design is about solving problems and providing elegant

solving problems and providing elegant

solving problems and providing elegant Solutions and information design is

Solutions and information design is

Solutions and information design is about solving information problems and

about solving information problems and

about solving information problems and it feels like we have a lot of

it feels like we have a lot of

it feels like we have a lot of information problems in our society at

information problems in our society at

information problems in our society at the moment from the overload and

the moment from the overload and

the moment from the overload and saturation to the breakdown of trust and

saturation to the breakdown of trust and

saturation to the breakdown of trust and reliability and Runway skepticism and

reliability and Runway skepticism and

reliability and Runway skepticism and lack of transparency or even just

lack of transparency or even just

lack of transparency or even just interestingness I mean I find

interestingness I mean I find

interestingness I mean I find information just too interesting it has

information just too interesting it has

information just too interesting it has a magnetic quality that draws me in so

a magnetic quality that draws me in so

a magnetic quality that draws me in so visualizing information can give us a

visualizing information can give us a

visualizing information can give us a very quick solution to those kinds of

very quick solution to those kinds of

very quick solution to those kinds of problems and even when the information

problems and even when the information

problems and even when the information is terrible the visual can be quite

is terrible the visual can be quite

is terrible the visual can be quite beautiful and often we can get clarity

beautiful and often we can get clarity

beautiful and often we can get clarity or the answer to a simple question very

or the answer to a simple question very

or the answer to a simple question very quickly like this one the recent

quickly like this one the recent

quickly like this one the recent Icelandic

Icelandic

Icelandic volcano uh which was emitting the most

volcano uh which was emitting the most

volcano uh which was emitting the most CO2 was it the plains or the volcano the

CO2 was it the plains or the volcano the

CO2 was it the plains or the volcano the grounded planes or the volcano so we can

grounded planes or the volcano so we can

grounded planes or the volcano so we can have a look we look at the data and we

have a look we look at the data and we

have a look we look at the data and we see yep volcano emitted 150,000 tons the

see yep volcano emitted 150,000 tons the

see yep volcano emitted 150,000 tons the ground in plain would emitted 345,000 if

ground in plain would emitted 345,000 if

ground in plain would emitted 345,000 if they were in the sky so essentially we

they were in the sky so essentially we

they were in the sky so essentially we had our first carbon neutral

volcano

yeah

and that is beautiful thank

and that is beautiful thank

and that is beautiful thank [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

you