Difference between revisions of "Talk:2023: Y-Axis"

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
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There are no Y-axis labels and values, the x-axis dates are questionable, and the data points are even more questionable, resembling linear growth at really convenient spots. [[File:https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/50b62c2669beddc340000005-320-185.jpg]]
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There are no Y-axis labels and values, the x-axis dates are questionable, and the data points are even more questionable, resembling linear growth at really convenient spots. [https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/50b62c2669beddc340000005-320-185.jpg Fox News misleading graph]

Revision as of 11:55, 24 July 2018


"There are four kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, graphs, and statistics." Andyd273 (talk) 13:37, 23 July 2018 (UTC)


To me this graph stands out as having something very wrong far more than those that limit the y axis to a short range. If the grid lines were several shades lighter however... PotatoGod (talk) 15:44, 23 July 2018 (UTC)

Also I wonder if anyone can find a legitimate (non-misleading) use for the semi-semi-log plot? I’m sure there’s some scenario where it could be useful. Perhaps showing the population growth of a species, then when the growth levels out at the maximum sustainable level for its environment (I forget the proper term from high school biology) showing more detail of the small population changes or something like that? PotatoGod (talk) 15:52, 23 July 2018 (UTC)

Frankly, it would be better to just use 2 separate graphs. Even if you explain to the reader that the scale changes mid-way, it would still be misleading on the subconscious level. The whole point of visualization is to allow the reader to utilize that sweet auto-processing power of our brains so that we don't have to think about what we are looking at too much. Jaalenja (talk) 17:59, 23 July 2018 (UTC)


Are there any IRL examples of this type of plot trick? I've never seen it

At first I thought the X-axis was logarithmic, because it lacks labels. This can also cause the sudden data jump.


There are no Y-axis labels and values, the x-axis dates are questionable, and the data points are even more questionable, resembling linear growth at really convenient spots. Fox News misleading graph