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> The author is way out of their depth and should retract the article and take a formal, accredited statistics course.

Maybe you should learn about the author before you make such assumptions. I find it hilarious you think he should take statistics courses when he teaches data visualization workshops to places like NASA, IRS, and the UN.

I'm done with this thread. Such a joke.

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Oh I know the author.

Just because you’re high profile in the data viz industry doesn’t mean you should be commenting on statistics especially with such a clear misunderstanding going on.

Some of us are definitely more qualified to speak on these matters and we still don’t think we’re qualified to teach it.

If box plots require an formal and accredited statistics course to understand, but as you mention they are taught to 15 year olds (presumably incorrectly) in school and used by people with power making decisions that affect everyone in organisations such as the UN and NASA, then even if the author is unqualified it seems their point is 'accidentally' correct. No one should be using these plots except extremely smart and trained people who do know how to read them, as it could have serious negative consequences.

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