what am I doing here?
The first quote from chapter 5 discussing the fact that two bits of data do not contradict one another, but can be read two different ways is not rocket science. The media knows exactly how to read the numbers so that they seem a certain way. However, if Joe Sho reporter who didn't major in physics understands this concept, then why doesn't the average American sitting at home reading the morning paper? It's also the job of the journalist to be totally objective and to keep any bias out of the wording. If a journalist has to think about keeping predjudice seperate from work then why enter the journalism industry.? Chapter 6 focused on how poll outcomes are gotten. Instead of taking the results at face value, you should pollsters. Once again, this is not rocket science. This just goes back to everything we've learned in class since day one - verify or duck.
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Mitchell Steele on what am I doing here?: You have some great insight he
Jackie Johns on what am I doing here?: I noticed some of the same poi
I noticed some of the same points you did - at times, as especially highlighted in this chapter, reporters don't accidentally misuse poll results and stats, but rather they misrepresent them in order to knowingly push a point. This is just another aspect of science reporting that we must consider when analyzing articles as readers and writing articles as journalists.
You have some great insight here about the process and the understanding of how the number(s) game works. I agree with the point you are making and see the ideas that you are getting across.
Haha I agree that really, the book isn't throwing out any earth shattering ideas. However, I think it's bringing attention to the idea that while we know that stories have two sides, and that polls aren't always right, we don't always think about it when reading an article.