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Speaking of pie charts: the implications of GraphJam

The charts over at GraphJam aren't exactly data-heavy or rigorous, but they are often amusing:


Graph by weegee64, via the GraphJam builder.


Graph by oliver.wolf, via the GraphJam builder.

OK, I'm slightly biased here because for years and years I was a paid observer of pop culture (aka journalist), so naturally I appreciate the GraphJammers' mockery of rock songs and movies.

But this stuff pleases me on a professional level too: People who make charts and graphs out of heretofore unchartable (or at least uncharted) cultural artifacts show themselves to be comfortable with graphical renderings. They know how to create them and they know how to read them.

And that's nothing but good news for Synoptical Charts and our fellows in the infoviz biz. The more people speak our (visual) language, the more uses they will find for it, and the more they will eventually find themselves relying on it... I hope.

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