Statistical literacy as the earth moves

Abstract

"The Times They Are a-Changin'" says the old Bob Dylan song. But it is not just the times that are a-changin'. For statistical literacy, the very earth is moving under our feet (apologies to Carole King). The seismic forces are (i) new forms of communication and discourse and (ii) new forms of data, data display and human interaction with data. These upheavals in the worlds of communication and data are ongoing. If anything, the pace of change is accelerating. And with it, what it means to be statistically literate is also changing. So how can we tell what is important? We will air some enduring themes and guiding principles.