Categories: Technology

Fascinating BBC documentary on statistics and data visualisation

Professor Hans Rosling

The BBC will broadcast an interesting hour-long documentary next Tuesday December 7th called The Joy of Stats. The programme is hosted by internet boffin Professor Hans Rosling (@hansrosling) and will be aired at 9pm on BBC 4.

The show “takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the wonderful world of statistics” and explores the power they have to change our understanding of the world around us.

“Without statistics we are cast adrift on an ocean of confusion, but armed with stats we can take control of our lives, hold our rulers to account and see the world as it really is”.

Below is a fascinating video clip [4:48] from the show. The visualisations are generated using CGI, allowing Rosling to immerse himself in the data and make the documentary especially interesting. Share your thoughts in the comments.

Albizu Garcia

Albizu Garcia is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gain -- a marketing technology company that automates the social media and content publishing workflow for agencies and social media managers, their clients and anyone working in teams.

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  • Hi,
    I am a student of statistics in Sheffield. Today in my classe my teacher ask us if we saw "The joy of Stats" on Tuesday evening. I am not english (Erasmus programme) and i do not know yet which programmes or documentaries we can see on BBC. So, I did not know about this documentary when my teacher asked us!! But I watched it right now and.... it was AMAZING, so funny and made me like much more statistics!! I liked the way that professor Hans Rosling presented that documentary but much more about what he presented. I got much more information about what i can do with my course..about STATISTICS.
    Thanks (Professor Hans Rosling)

  • I missed this! I was a math major in college and therefore ranting over how most people don't understand basic statistics. The show's up for four more days according to BBC. I'll have to watch this. Thanks!

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