Statistical Data Drives Prosperity

The second of two articles seeks to discover why the most productive societies utilize data, especially statistical data, to drive prosperity.

OK: the Virgin Islands is a lively democracy. Political activity is never far from the surface. The country is a live wire of street corner talk, radio shows, and social media trolls. Commentators attempt to draw the notice of the public to various issues emotively and with excitement. However, a lack of data and information results in too much emotion and entertainment in discussing matters, and not enough substance. This is especially so for issues of governance and politics.

Insufficient data from lack of a rigorous culture of metrical information gathering limits the offerings of even the traditional print media. Appropriate and timely data and statistics would offer a great backdrop to this lively media subculture driving greater accuracy and more effective reporting.

Now, statistics allow the people hold government to account much more effectively through giving the public greater knowledge of events. Data is raw material for the media and public. Turning that raw material or data into information, and then appropriate news and commentary is the key role of the news media.