A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics: A Neuroscientist on How to Make Sense of a Complex World - Softcover

Levitin, Daniel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0241974879 ISBN 13: 9780241974872

Publisher: Penguin, 2018

Synopsis

A guide to critical thinking in the 'post-truth' era, from the author of Sunday Times best-seller The Organized Mind

We live in a world of information overload. Facts and figures on absolutely everything are at our fingertips, but are too often biased, distorted, or outright lies. From unemployment figures to voting polls, IQ tests to divorce rates, we're bombarded by seemingly plausible statistics on how people live and what they think. Daniel Levitin teaches us how to effectively ask ourselves: can we really know that? And how do they know that?

In this eye-opening, accessible guide filled with fascinating examples and practical takeaways, acclaimed neuroscientist Daniel Levitin shows us how learning to understand statistics will enable you to make better, smarter judgements on the world around you.

About this title

Review:

In a post-truth world, Levitin's book is an invaluable primer on how to sort the fact from the fiction (Sunday Times)

The world is awash with data, but not always with accurate information. [Levitin] does a terrific job of illustrating the difference between the two with precision and delightful good humour (Charles Wheelan, author of Naked Economics)

Deservedly a bestseller (Independent on 'The Organized Mind')

Smart, important, exquisitely written (Daniel Gilbert on 'The Organized Mind')

The Organized Mind is the perfect antidote to the effects of information overload. Loved it. (Scott Turow, New York Times bestselling author of 'Identical' and 'Innocent' on 'The Organized Mind')

Daniel Levitin's field guide is a critical thinking primer for our shrill, data-drenched age. From the way averages befuddle to the logical fallacies that sneak by us, every page is enlightening (Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit and Smarter, Faster, Better)

Valuable tools for anyone willing to evaluate claims and get to the truth of the matter (Kirkus Reviews)

As a lucid guide to critical thinking about statistics, information and assertion it is profoundly welcome (Observer)

From the Back Cover:

The simple, powerful tools of critical thinking

We live in a world of information overload. Facts and figures on absolutely everything are at our fingertips, but are too often biased, distorted, or outright lies. In a world where anyone can become an expert at the click of a button, being able to see through the tricks played with statistics is more necessary than ever before. Daniel Levitin teaches us how to effectively ask ourselves: can we really know that? And how do they know that?

This eye-opening, accessible guide teaches you how to:

-carry out quick plausibility tests
-understand how numbers are reported
-separate experts from pseudo-experts.

Acclaimed neuroscientist Daniel Levitin shows us how understanding statistics will enable you to make quicker, smarter decisions about the world around you.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0241974879
• ISBN 13: 9780241974872
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304