Calling Bullshit

Key takeaways

• Numbers Carry an Unearned Aura of Objectivity
• Correlation-Causation Confusion Remains Pervasive
• What's Excluded From the Data Matters More Than What's Shown
• Simple Questions Filter Out Bad-Faith Argument
• Data Visualization Can Mislead as Easily as It Informs
• Basic Statistical Literacy as a Civic Skill

Final takeaway

Their closing message: developing the habits and questions taught throughout the book is an ongoing practice worth applying to any significant quantitative claim you encounter, not just an academic exercise completed once.