Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Lies, damned lies (cont.)

For years, we have been told that we are spied on by CCTV cameras 300 times a day. I have always thought the figure sounded pretty fishy. Now, thanks to a brilliant piece of detective work by David Aaronovitch in today's Times, we know it is. Could we now subject all other such spurious 'facts' to similar scrutiny?
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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous4 March 2009 at 19:15

    Hi Conor,

    I couldn't agree more. There is far too many statistics quoted in the general news and press without a full understanding of where and how those statistics are generated.

    There is hope though... on Radio 4. Tim Harfords programme 'More or Less: Behind the Stats' is a great antedote to poor journalism. Have a look at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/moreorless/

    All the best, Heedy

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  2. Anonymous6 March 2009 at 04:28

    "300 times" just means a lot. the damn things are everywhere prying into everything.
    And is there a crime free society - no. So stop quibbling.

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