4 Replies Latest reply on Dec 20, 2012 4:14 PM by Shawn Wallwork

Death by Firearms Around the World

Shawn Wallwork Dec 20, 2012 10:14 AM

Yesterday the NY Times published a highlight text table that accompanied an editorial by Charles M. Blow about guns in America. His lead states:

"Sometimes I think the best argument is raw data. This is one of those times."

I could not disagree more strongly. In his conclusion he finally gets to the story he is trying to tell when he says:

"In fact, America has more homicides by gun than all of the other high-income O.E.C.D. countries combined. It’s just shameful."

I couldn't agree more. It is unfortunate that he wasted this opportunity to demonstrate his point with a more appropriately designed data visualization. Here is my remake of his text table:

http://public.tableausoftware.com/views/Firearms/Death?:embed=y

Thoughts?

--Shawn

Here is the NYT graphic:

1. Re: Death by Firearms Around the World

Allan Walker Dec 20, 2012 2:50 PM (in response to Shawn Wallwork)
Hey Shawn,

Here's a map view. Twbx attached...
Link: Death

Firearms.zip 76.0 KB
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2. Re: Death by Firearms Around the World

Shawn Wallwork Dec 20, 2012 3:43 PM (in response to Allan Walker)

Allan, thank you for not only looking at this viz but taking the time to re-work it. Also thank you for respecting the original design aesthetic. I looked at the geographic possibilities when I first imported the data. Like you I so hoped it would display the disparity between countries, and present the "shame on America" POV that I feel is warranted. You've most certainly done a better geo workout than I ever did -- but I still think the stark 'reality' of my scatter plot tells the story ... the horrible story, just a bit better.

--Shawn
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3. Re: Death by Firearms Around the World

Allan Walker Dec 20, 2012 4:02 PM (in response to Shawn Wallwork)

Hey Shawn,

I meant to be complimentary, just to add a sheet to what you had done, but couldn't work out the parameters.
I think the plot and map could supplement each other...a URL action could update both.

I also question the data itself though. I think it is just reported cases and actual licences, not the unpapered stuff.
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4. Re: Death by Firearms Around the World

Shawn Wallwork Dec 20, 2012 4:14 PM (in response to Allan Walker)

I really have to get better at writing. I so took your post as "complimentary". Now that I better understand your idea of two sheets referencing each other, I'll give it a try tomorrow -- good suggestion, really.

Tomorrow, Shawn
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Death by Firearms Around the World

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