Friday, April 05, 2019
1.4 = 9
DW is reporting on unrest and demonstrations in Pakistan. Not likely to bring down the government, so it's not clear why DW is emphasizing the story.
What caught my attention is the NUMBER.
Imran Khan's government was elected in 2018 with a promise to eradicate poverty. However, with inflation at its highest since November 2013, patience among voters is wearing thin.
After that headline, you expect to read about Maduro-style 1000000% hyperinflation.
Nope, the current inflation in Pakistan is 9.4%. Uncomfortable, but within the range of normal variation in a flexible economy.
More important:
USA INFLATION IS ALSO NINE PERCENT.
We aren't protesting about it because we aren't allowed to know it. Our satanic dysgovernment and satanic dysmedia feed us FAKE NUMBERS.
We argue whether the Fed ought to allow inflation to rise from its "current 1.4%" or keep it at its "current 1.4%".
NO, YOU VILE FILTHY GROTESQUE DEMONIC TURBOLIARS.
The shared lie is an extension of the flat assertion. Debating about the benefits of a number reinforces the number in our minds. The only available sides are "1.4 is good for us" and "1.4 is bad for us". Nobody is allowed to say "1.4 is fake".
Pakistan's government has the courage and confidence to allow REAL NUMBERS, so it needs to be congratulated by foreigners. DW is helping to bring it down as punishment for honesty.
Labels: Real World Math, Shared Lie
¶ 11:56 PM
