In the past graphical presentations of data required painstaking artistic capacity. Nowadays, computers have made it easier to analyse large quantities of data and present the results graphically with minimal time and effort. But conversely, data handling software can limit the modes of presentation and, used intelligently, provides the means to obscure the facts. Edward Tufte is a celebrated historian who has looked at graphical presentation of data throughout the ages. He presents this point well.
Enthusiasts, partisans, and liars have long tinkered with graphical evidence by dequantifying images, selecting and hyping advantageous visual effects, distorting data. Recently, inexpensive computing and ingenious techniques for image processing have provided endless new opportunities for mischief. Arbitrary, transient, one-sided, fractured, undocumented materials have become the great predicament of image making and processing. How are we to assess the integrity of visual evidence?
This quotation comes from Edward R. Tufte, Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative. 1997. He has produced a series which are cited in the resources section. These books presenting an attractive and exciting perspective on the communication of synthesised information.



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 08/05/07 15:14 by Administrator.