This page can be viewed as an extension of the "Human Condition" and the "Global Awareness" pages of this website. This page provides graphical and tabular snapshots of the human condition at the dawn of the 21st century. The page closes by spotlighting a different way, among many, for humankind to move forward into the future.

SNAPSHOTS CONCERNING THE HUMAN CONDITION AT THE DAWN OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Unlike physical science with its knack for precision (say, for instance, measuring the distance from Earth to the Moon or calculating the orbit of an artificial satellite), social science, in general, has come to be referred to as the dismal science. In its contemporary context, the phrase "dismal science" is meant to describe how social science involves having to deal with incomplete information and having to consider or manipulate numerous factors or variables. As a result, the solution or answer to a given social scientific question or hypothesis often is not ironclad or 100% conclusive. The answer to a given social scientific question or hypothesis usually is an "educated guess" as supported by the use of various scientific and statistical methods.

In conjunction with a given hypothesis, social science involves collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data. For instance, a question commonly asked is this: Why do humans murder? Some might hypothesize or argue that humans murder due to mental illness. Others might hypothesize or argue that humans murder due to living in a culture of violence. Who is right and who is wrong? Social scientists would conduct a study. Social scientists would collect, organize, analyze, and interpret applicable data to derive or deduce an "educated guess" as to which variable lends greater credence to answering the question of why do humans murder. The results of the study usually are detailed or summarized in a formal report.

If one hypothesis is repeatedly supported with a high degree of confidence over competing ones, then social scientists become enabled to make predictions about the subject being studied. For instance, assume social scientific studies repeatedly demonstrated that there is a direct relationship between school performance and poverty levels. Social scientists could take this corroborating evidence to make predictions about future educational achievement based on income levels, or social scientists could use this evidence to argue for or against competing global programs to eradicate poverty.

Mark Twain is said to have popularized the phrase, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." That is to say, despite the careful and meticulous research efforts of social scientists, sometimes they can get it wrong. From the beginning of a social scientific study to its conclusion, even when social scientists make use of appropriate statistical techniques, statistics still can be used to mislead and deceive. Some people view statistics like they view the Holy Bible. That is to say, just as you can find passages in the Holy Bible to fit or support any particular viewpoint or interpretation of the Bible, you also can find or distort statistics to suit any given argument.

For instance, you can find passages in the Holy Bible that condone—and condemn—slavery. You can find passages in the Holy Bible that condone—and condemn—murder. Likewise, you can distort or misuse statistics to mean whatever you want them to mean. It is worth mentioning that, throughout this website, every attempt has been made to provide you, the reader, with accurate and authoritative information.

With Mark Twain's caveat in mind, here are 19 interesting descriptive statistics about the human condition at the dawn of the 21st century. The graphics below provide snapshots of the Top 10 performances by country and also of the Bottom 10 performances by country for each of the 19 measures. It should be noted that even the Top 10 and the Bottom 10 Performers can be misleading. For instance, when it comes to, say, the infant mortality rate, to be a Top 10 Performer would be interpreted as being a bad thing. When it comes to, say, per capita or per person GDP, being a Top 10 Performer would be interpreted as being a good thing.

To clarify the interpretation of the 19 measures, I have used a happy face to indicate whether being a top or bottom performer reflects a good or positive trend:

I have used a sad face to indicate whether being a top or bottom performer reflects a bad or negative trend:

The World Factbook was the source for the data cited in the 19 tables below. The sorting, filtering, and paging technique in each table was taken from Matt Kruse's JavaScript Toolbox. Microsoft Excel was used to create the Top 10 and the Bottom 10 charts.

According to The World Factbook, "Population compares estimates from the US Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past and on assumptions about future trends."

According to The World Factbook, "Population growth rate compares the average annual percent change in populations, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative."

According to The World Factbook, "Birth rate compares the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate."

According to The World Factbook, "Death rate compares the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate."

According to The World Factbook, "Infant mortality rate compares the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country."

According to The World Factbook, "Life expectancy at birth compares the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages."