BROADCASTS.com

b'

We\\u2019ve stated many times that data is agnostic, a neutral tool that when used properly can be incredibly powerful in uncovering the truth of things. Or it can be used to obscure and manipulate the truth.\\xa0

A recent study on Florida\\u2019s criminal justice system illustrates the point perfectly. Florida is known for being particularly tough on criminals. Because of this and other perceptions, researchers got curious about whether or not justice was being administered fairly in the sunshine state or if was distorted by racial or class based biases. Focusing on Jacksonville and Tampa (representing two very different parts of Florida) the study took into account things like plea deals, length of sentencing, prior records, and whether or not cases were even filed. Taking everything into account, it turns out that whatever perceptions may be, Florida is doing an excellent job in administering its justice fairly across the board. Florida\\u2019s justice may be tough, but it is fair.\\xa0

The researchers also took a look at the same factors in places like Chicago and New York where they found major differences across racial lines. This is particularly interesting because based on stated policies, media coverage and other factors, many would expect the opposite answer.\\xa0

What does this tell us about data and its importance? It tells us that whatever preconceptions we might have and how well founded we might think they are, it\\u2019s still possible for data to come and slap us around with the hard truth of reality. Naturally, this is uncomfortable, but it is exactly that discomfort that makes an honest and fair assessment of data so important. It is much better to proceed with an uncomfortable truth that might force us to reevaluate our own position than it is to carry on in blissful ignorance.\\xa0

So what about the justice system in New York and Chicago? Are the judges and prosecutors there intentionally signaling out specific people? Probably not (though it would take further analysis to be sure), but after being presented with the data showing the racial disparities, they should also be willing to look at their own preconceptions to see if they need to face some uncomfortable truths on their end. As always, the truth is better than ignorance, even when it hurts. Data and an honest analysis of it can help us see where our blind spots are and point out the hard truths we need to confront.\\xa0

Data can serve this function in many aspects of life. If someone wants to know whether a specific on and off ramp design would be an improvement, a civil engineer would have to find a similar example and crunch the numbers, checking for the amount of accidents, traffic jams, and other factors as compared with other designs. Or one could feed information about local traffic patterns into a computer model and run the simulation to get an idea of how well the design would work. Anyone who has had to deal with the cloverleaf design in rush hour wishes that modern data analysis and computer modeling was available when someone came up with that monstrosity.\\xa0

Then there is the importance of data in medical science, especially now with the COVID virus still causing concern amongst many. How deadly is it? What treatments work? What measures work? All of these are important questions for understanding the virus and for making policy in how to deal with it. Unfortunately, too many decisions \\u2013 such as eating in outdoor plastic bubbles \\u2013 get made in the absence of data.

All of this shows the true importance of data and how it can be used to evaluate and guide policy and action in the future. That\\u2019s why TARTLE places such an emphasis on data and getting it right from the source. When you\\u2019re getting it straight from the tap, the opportunities for manipulation and bias coming in are minimized, which means you are more likely to get the dose of cold hard truth we all need at times.\\xa0

What\\u2019s your data worth? www.tartle.co

\\xa0