Wow, really, really loved this one, Jay. (please forgive my boorish use of adverbs -- the compliment is sincere)
On facts in particular, I'd point out that statistics are one of the purest forms of "fact," yet there is merit in the old joke, "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics." WHICH facts (or statistics) are presented can flip an argument 180 degrees. E.g. (using fictional numbers, but on a subject that has been in the news of late), Crime is up by 20%. Violent crime is down by 15%. Crime in the most populous cities is up. Crime in neighborhoods covering 98% of the country is down. All of those could be true at the same time, but each sentence would paint a very different picture if provided in isolation.
Wow, really, really loved this one, Jay. (please forgive my boorish use of adverbs -- the compliment is sincere)
On facts in particular, I'd point out that statistics are one of the purest forms of "fact," yet there is merit in the old joke, "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics." WHICH facts (or statistics) are presented can flip an argument 180 degrees. E.g. (using fictional numbers, but on a subject that has been in the news of late), Crime is up by 20%. Violent crime is down by 15%. Crime in the most populous cities is up. Crime in neighborhoods covering 98% of the country is down. All of those could be true at the same time, but each sentence would paint a very different picture if provided in isolation.
Same with non-statistical facts.
Excellent