How Statistics Lost Their Power – and Why We Should Fear What Comes Next

Statistics were once the go-to place for factual evidence. They have since become mired in mistrust. People fear the massaging of numbers for political benefit. Immigration is one example: Statistics show that immigration improves economic health. However, presenting such figures doesn’t convince people and instead makes them oppose immigration more. Conversely, emotional stories of immigrant family plights are more likely to sway public opinion.  

Modern statistics began to alter the role of politics in the latter half of the 17th century. Modern European rulers moved from the costly census which traditionally considered only politically...