MetaChat - Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

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17 June 2005

Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics 45% of Americans don't realise the Sun is a star? 96% of candles are purchased by women?

Yeah, it's weak as all fuck but I'm bored at work and this would never get a pass on MeFi...

post by: longbaugh at: 12:33 | 13 comments

"The most collect calls are made on Father's Day."
Hey, at least it's a call, right?

posted by Slack-a-gogo 17 June | 13:01

Ok, my favorite, don't know if it included in this list, was from the early 1990's. Something like 84% of those polled knew who Judge Wapner was, but only 17% knew who the Chief Justice of the United States was (William H. Rehnquist).

posted by mlis 17 June | 13:02

post-post review: "17%". *sighs*

posted by mlis 17 June | 13:03

"Every year approximately 2,500 left-handed people are killed by using objects or machinery designed for right-handed people"

Good - if they were ginger too then that's a few less mutants in the world...

posted by longbaugh 17 June | 13:05

this would never get a pass on MeFi

Oh I don't know about that. The Tom Cruise post is still there...

posted by iconomy 17 June | 13:18

"It is estimated that at any one time, 0.7% of the world's population is drunk."

That's terrible. Something needs to be done about that.

posted by loquacious 17 June | 14:26

*opens up the free bar*

posted by deborah 17 June | 14:40

deborah, this is at least the third time I've noticed you've offered everyone refreshments in your posts here. Please don't make me cite stuff. I find it quite charming. Thank you.

posted by rainbaby 17 June | 15:08

Every 40,000 children are killed by fires.

All of them? Wow.
(I hope that's a typo)

posted by nylon 17 June | 15:46

various poll results from michael moore's TV Nation:

- 14% of Americans surveyed agree that Puerto Rico should not be the 51st state because "that extra star would make the flag look bad.

- 34% of those who voted in the last election believe "Forrest Gump" was a documentary.

- 16% of all Americans believe that the world is out to get them. Of those, 46% are gun owners

- etc

posted by Wedge 17 June | 22:06

Over 1,600 people in North America have been victims of trunk entrapment (being locked inside of a car trunk).

Wow. Sneaky cars.

posted by hojoki 18 June | 12:22

In 2002, 69% of the roses that were given out on Valentine's Day were red.

Heh. Heh. 69. Heh.

But seriously, why are so many of these Valentine's Day related?

posted by grapefruitmoon 18 June | 21:35

and 47% of statistics are made up on the spot.

posted by dg 19 June | 01:55

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