Info we Trust: How to Inspire the World with Data [Book Review]
By: Kristin Hunter-Thomson
RJ Andrews’ “Info we Trust: How to Inspire the World with Data” (2019)
Curious about how and why we use data throughout time? Looking for well articulated reasons about why it is even more critical to become data literate in today’s day in age?
Then I highly recommend RJ Andrews’ “Info we Trust: How to Inspire the World with Data” (2019)!
RJ is a masterful storyteller. Across six sections — Origin, Metaphorical, Mathematical, Sensational, Informational, and Onward — the history of our use of and need for data, how our brains process data, and the need to be careful consumers and producers of data is delightfully laid out. Through aesthetically simple and pleasing, hand-drawn illustrations the ideas and arguments come alive visually. The text can be read front-to-back or be read in individual components based on your interests.
The different sections weave together important aspects of what it means to use, work with, and learn from data. There is a bit of everything for everyone in this book! Whether you are looking for a fun read to:
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explore data further (I suggest the Origin chapters),
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learn about how our brains work to process data and what that means for creating data visualizations (I suggest the Metaphorical chapters),
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dive deeper into statistical thinking and analyzing and interpreting data (I suggest the Mathematical chapters),
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explore various examples of different ways that data and data visualizations are used for good and/or for manipulation today (I suggest the Sensational chapters),
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inspire with your data visualizations (I suggest the Informational chapters), or
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gain tips and tricks for getting better with your use of data (I suggest the Onward chapters)
there is something here for you.
This book is written by a top data visualizer in the field of data visualization, but is certainly accessible for any adult as well as for students in grades 8-12.
