A poorly conceived graph

Tufte, where are you?

A graph by Alan Kreuger, a top economist, who should know better than to draw misleading charts:

I have no quarrel with the data on the graph, of course. What I'm pointing out is how poorly conveyed the information content of the graph is.  The graph is so poorly conceived that it is misleading.

Looking at the graph, and without looking at the captions, do think the United States is improving or not? Our natural reaction on any numerical chart is that the top-right is where we want to be.  That is, however, not what the chart is saying.

The x-axis variable is inequality. The more left you are better, the more cohesive the society is.  So, for one thing, the x-axis should probably have been (1-inequality) or the axis should have gone from 0.40 on the left to the 0.15 on the right i.e. the x-axis ought to have been flipped.

The y-axis is similarly poorly conceived. The higher you are in the y-axis, the less the social mobility in the country, i.e. people born poor remain poor. Again, the y-axis ought to have been (1-elasticity) or its range flipped to go from 0.6 at the bottom to 0.1 on top.

Once you flip the two axes, then the take-away of the graph becomes extremely clear. The United States is unequal and getting more so.

Chart-drawing software (Mr. Kreuger probably used Excel here) has made it so easy to draw graphs that people forget to stop a bit and think about whether the chart actually conveys (visually: that's the point of a chart after all) what they want it to convey.

7 comments:

  1. When I first erad the graph I thought the same things... then I later saw your post.. and felt somewhat rest assured that I was not the only reader that has noticed this.

    But indefence the figures are a positive axis... but therelationship says an higher number is not as desirable...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am truly happy to glance at this web site posts which includes lots
    of useful data, thanks for providing these information.
    my web page - Teen Booty & pussy CamDance

    ReplyDelete
  3. My developer is trying to convince me to move to .
    net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because
    of the costs. But he's tryiong none the less. I've been using
    Movable-type on several websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform.
    I have heard excellent things about blogengine.
    net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?
    Any help would be really appreciated!
    Feel free to surf my web-site ... http://www.daily-wet-tshirt.com/big-ass-anal/

    ReplyDelete
  4. I will immediately snatch your rss as I can not in finding your email subscription link or
    e-newsletter service. Do you've any? Kindly permit me know so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
    my page > http://www.partygalleries.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for
    a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny
    bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
    Review my web page - free teen porn pictries

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of area .

    Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this web site.
    Studying this info So i'm satisfied to express that I've
    an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed.
    I such a lot surely will make sure to do not forget this site and provides it a glance on a relentless
    basis.
    Look into my web site - http://www.xxxvideofix.com/video/60058/hailey-young-is-a-slender-brunette-with-little-or.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. First off I would like to say terrific blog! I had a
    quick question which I'd like to ask if you don't mind.
    I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
    I have had difficulty clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.
    I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the
    first 10 to 15 minutes are wasted just trying to figure out how
    to begin. Any ideas or hints? Cheers!
    Feel free to visit my homepage :: porn

    ReplyDelete