The Personal Website of Mark W. Dawson

A World of Words versus the World as It Is

In today’s world we seem much more concerned about what someone says but pay far too little attention to what one does. But words a malleable and can mean different things to different people, and different things at different places and at different times. The consequences for words are also variable ranging from invoking feelings, both good and bad, to incitement for political actions and perhaps to physical violence.  These, in turn, can cause behavior that is not in the best interests of a person or a society. Actions, however, are much more precise and have direct and indirect consequences. It is much more important what someone does, and the consequences of their deeds, than what they may say.

Words are often combined with statistics to achieve a political or social goal. But statistics and the words associated with them are often used incorrectly as outlined in my Observation “Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave” and “Political Polling”. And when statistics and the words used to describe them are utilized improperly, they can lead to terrible consequences. Therefore, we must make sure that the statistics, and the words used to describe them, are utilized properly. Unfortunately, this is not often the case in today’s heated political climate.

Many people use words and statistics to achieve what they perceive as good, based on the best of intentions. But it does not matter is a person’s intentions were good if the results are not good. As often been said “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. We must assure that the words and statistics are correct before we implement governmental actions and social policy. We must also be cognizant that actions have consequences, some foreseen, but many unforeseen as I have outlined in my Observation “The Law of Unintended Consequences”. We must also remember that change doesn't always result in change for the better as I have stated in my Article “Change and/or New”. It is also important that we recognize “Human Nature” in all governmental actions and social policy.

Human nature is that part of our psyche that is a result of millions of years of evolution. It is a basic part of all humans. We must all acknowledge our human nature and account for it in our dealings with others, as well as in the creation and administration of social policy. To not do so will result in much effort, time, and monies being spent on a task that is doomed to failure. And failure is what is inevitable if you do not account for human nature. In many of my Observations and Articles, I deal with human nature and its impact on government and society, and I take human nature into account when I propose a solution. I will not deny, nor not acknowledge, human nature in my observations and articles. For someone who denies human nature, or will not acknowledge human nature, is foolish, and you should not pay attention to fools.

Most people do not have enough statistical knowledge, nor a proper understanding of the words used to define statistics, to be able to make a reasonable nor informed judgment on statistics. Indeed, there is so much misutilization of statistics that it does nothing but sow confusion, misunderstanding, and political partisanship. And confusion, misunderstanding, and political partisanship are rampant today. There is almost no public policy or social issue in which bad statistics and words are utilized to shape government actions and social policy. The misconceptions and axioms utilized for debate and discussion are so ingrained (and usually wrong) that good and effective governmental actions are nearly impossible. And unless you can prove that your assumptions and axioms are correct than anything derived for them is suspect.

This leads to a continuation of the issues and problems facing America. Dissenting voices to the misconceptions and axioms are often shouted down and drowned out for partisan political purposes. We often have the attitude of “Don’t confuse me with the facts, I have already made up my mind”. Nor is this one-sided. Liberals, Progressives, and Leftists seem unwilling to consider facts and statistics that counter their worldview. Conservatives at one time seemed to be amenable to considering opposing information, but now they seem to much less amenable. The other problem we have is that the mass media (entertainment, sports, journalism, radio, television, social media, etc.), which have loudest megaphones in America, often parrot the Liberals, Progressives, and Leftist mantra almost exclusively. This propels the misconceptions and axioms which further inhibits reaching effective governmental actions and good social policy.

Therefore, we seem to be living in A World of Words versus the World as It Is. To not recognize the “World as It Is” is counterproductive and dangerous. To live in a “World of Words” is a fantasy or an imagined utopia that will ultimately result in the collapse of society. We all need to recognize the real facts and truths and deal with them as they are, not as we wish them to be.

This is most often obvious when it comes to race relations in America. Race relations are so emotionally sensitive and politically charged that it is difficult to separate the good, the bad, and the ugly in statistics and words about race relations.  There is so much confusing and contradicting statistics about race relationships that it is almost impossible to craft good public policy to address this issue.

Discrimination and Disparities by Dr. Thomas Sowell is a book that specifically addresses the issue of statistics and race relationships, not only in America but in the rest of the world and throughout history. I would highly recommend that everyone read this book to clear the confusion and the smoke and mirrors regarding race relationships and statistics. In that vein I would also recommend the books and articles from the following authors that provide more clarity to Economics and Statistics:

Dr. Thomas Sowell - (Amazon Books) 

Dr. Thomas Sowell (born June 30, 1930) is an American economist and social theorist who is currently a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. Dr. Sowell has served on the faculties of several universities, including Cornell University and the University of California, Los Angeles. He has also worked for think tanks such as the Urban Institute. Since 1980, he has worked at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He writes from a libertarian conservative perspective, advocating supply-side economics. Sowell has written more than thirty books (several which have been reprinted in revised editions), and his work has been widely anthologized. He is a National Humanities Medal recipient for innovative scholarship which incorporated history, economics and political science.

Dr. Walter E. Williams - (Amazon Books)     

Dr.  Williams (born March 31, 1936) is an American economist, commentator, and academic. He is the John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics at George Mason University, as well as a syndicated columnist and author known for his classical liberal and libertarian conservative views. His writings frequently appear on Townhall.com, WorldNetDaily (WND), and Jewish World Review. Dr. Williams has been a professor of economics at George Mason University since 1980 and was chairman of the University's Economics department from 1995 to 2001. He had previously been on the faculty of Los Angeles City College, California State University – Los Angeles, Temple University, and Grove City College.

Dr. Shelby Steele - (Amazon Books)    

Dr. Steele (born January 1, 1946) is an American conservative author, columnist, documentary filmmaker, and a Robert J. and Marion E. Oster Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. He specializes in the study of race relations, multiculturalism, and affirmative action. Dr. Steele received a B.A. in political science from Coe College, an M.A. in sociology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Utah. After earning a Ph.D. in English in 1974, Dr. Steele was offered a tenured position at the university but turned it down because of hostility encountered as part of an interracial couple in Utah. Dr. Steele accepted a position at San Jose State University as a professor of English literature and taught there from 1974 to 1991.

Larry Elder - (Amazon Books)

Laurence Allen "Larry" Elder (born April 27, 1952) is an American attorney, author, and radio program host. He attended Brown University, receiving a BA in Political Science in 1974. He then attended the University of Michigan, School of Law, graduating in 1977. After graduation, he worked with a large law firm in Cleveland, Ohio, where he practiced litigation. He then opened “Laurence A. Elder and Associates,” a business specializing in recruiting experienced attorneys. At the same time, he hosted a topic-oriented television show in Cleveland, first on PBS, then on the local Fox affiliate.

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For a better understanding of Economics, Statistics, and Money I would recommend the following:

Dr. Charles Wheelan – (Amazon Books)

Dr. Wheelan (born 1966) is an American journalist and speaker. Dr. Wheelan holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Chicago, a Master’s in Public Affairs from Princeton University, and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. From 1997 to 2002, he was the Midwest correspondent for The Economist. He has also written for the Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Yahoo! Finance.

Dr. Wheelan's first book, Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science (2002), is an introduction to economics; Naked Statistic: Stripping the Dread from the Data (2013) is an introduction to statistics; and Naked Money: A Revealing Look at What It Is and Why It Matters (2016) is an introduction to what money is and how it works. All three books are highly readable and understandable by the general public.