There are three kinds of lies:
Lies,
Damned Lies,
and statistics : Mark Twain
2006-09-21 13:35:52 · 15 answers · asked by gwhatch2001 3 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
I think it speaks for itself.
2006-09-21 13:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by Trollhair 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Even in Mark Twain's times apparently statistics were manipulated.
Statistics can be made to yield the results desired - even if they don't - get the idea?
The way a question is phrased - the way the numbers are calculated, etc. can be slanted to try to promote an agenda.
Godd quote and good question.
2006-09-21 20:45:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, statistics - a woman in Connecticut ran a political polling firm and was arrested for fraud because she made up data to meet deadlines of her clients. So much for believing statistics.
Statistics = lies and damned lies.
2006-09-21 21:42:17 · answer #3 · answered by dintym 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lies as lies told by others about the person saying the quote, damned lies as lies that hurt someone else, and statistics as whoever dies as a result of whatever lies are told.
2006-09-21 21:00:01 · answer #4 · answered by isis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is Mark Twain's satire and sense of humor. Statistics can be manipulated to prove whatever you want them to prove; therefore, they are a "lie." What a genius!
2006-09-21 20:45:23 · answer #5 · answered by Rhonda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i love mark twain's mind... it's a joke. he's just saying statistics are lies.
2006-09-21 20:47:32 · answer #6 · answered by italianchic1606 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Twain is saying anyone can find facts or statistics to support their side. That doesn't mean they are necessarily true.
2006-09-21 20:43:51 · answer #7 · answered by tsopolly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he's joking and implying that statistics are worse than damned lies, as in we should not believe them because they are not true, but the worst kind of lies. nobody likes to belive statistics esp if they are about bad things.
2006-09-21 20:41:23 · answer #8 · answered by foxfirevigil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He means that statistics are the worst kind of lies because they are presented as mathematical truth.
2006-09-22 02:58:50 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lies-omission of truth to protect someone
Damned Lies-distortion of the truth for harm
Statistics-political distortion of the truth for personal gain
2006-09-21 20:44:24 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Humorous and hyperbole, not meant to be taken as the literal truth.
2006-09-21 20:44:03 · answer #11 · answered by Diane D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋