Statistical Feelings
August 5th, 2009
In the run-up to the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics has invited staff to write pieces celebrating the anniversary. One statistician submitted this paean to the power of numbers:
Life
Some mock me for doing statistics
Some loathe me and statistics
Some don't understand what statistics areWhy is it that statistics
Put a calm smile on my face?Because of statistics
I can solve the deepest mysteriesBecause of statistics
I will not be lonely again, playing in the dataBecause of statistics
I can rearrange the stars in the skies aboveBecause of statistics
My life is different, more meaningfulI love my life, my statistics
A little corner of my Excel1 geek's soul stirred when I read that. Sad, but true.
- Yes, I know: Excel is a horrible tool for statistical work. But sometimes it's the only tool you've got… ↩
August 9th, 2009 at 21:32
I think the poem may lose a little in translation and I haven't rearranged the stars but I do applaud the sentiment. I am really proud of being a statistician but after all these years I am still waiting for the day when I say, "I am a Statistician" and someone replies, "How interesting, tell me all about it".
As far as I know, I am one of the few poets writing about statistics in this country. Maybe we should have a few more!!