Don't Panic
February 7, 2017 5:58 PM   Subscribe

Hans Rosling (prev), Swedish statistician, medical doctor, media presenter, and co-founder of the Gapminder Foundation, has died of pancreatic cancer.

Rosling reached a wide audience thanks to engaging TED talks and BBC documentaries, often speaking about statistics and trend lines relating to economic development, health, poverty and population growth, with a reputation for myth busting. Though not without criticism. And once in a while performing his sword swallowing trick. He had a gift for presenting these statistics, often using Trendalyzer bubble chart software, developed by his son, Ola, as a tool to visualize and make information easily digested.

He was 68 years old.
posted by 2N2222 (27 comments total) 11 users marked this as a favorite
 
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posted by Gorgik at 6:17 PM on February 7, 2017


Awwww poo. He did my favorite TEDtalk, back before the TED concept was diluted into meaninglessness.

I use Gapminder often as a teaching tool, it's great. Sigh.
posted by Wretch729 at 6:24 PM on February 7, 2017 [3 favorites]


Oh no!!!! Why do the truly great ones have to go so early? I loved his "peak baby" TED presentation.

Looks like 2016's stench is wafting right into 2017.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 6:30 PM on February 7, 2017


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posted by lazycomputerkids at 6:36 PM on February 7, 2017


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posted by tiaz at 6:47 PM on February 7, 2017


I can't overstate how much his work influenced me. I was able to see him speak at a conference and strong-armed many of my co-workers into attending that particular keynote. Once they saw him, they understood. My whole office was in mourning today. I love how he insisted, and then demonstrated, how the world can and does improve with work and focused effort. He delivered me quantitative hope.
posted by Hopeful and Cynical at 6:56 PM on February 7, 2017 [9 favorites]


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posted by slater at 7:15 PM on February 7, 2017


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F  |         / 
U  |        / 
C  |       |
K  |      /
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   +--------------------
        CANCERS
posted by mhoye at 7:23 PM on February 7, 2017 [13 favorites]


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posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:33 PM on February 7, 2017


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I only met him once, and that wasn't even in his professional role. He had a dry sense of humor that made me smile long after the encounter.
posted by Rabarberofficer at 9:09 PM on February 7, 2017


I logged onto Metafilter to make a post about this, and was happy to see that I didn't have to.

Hans Rosling was a good man who did good, important work.

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posted by Sleeper at 9:47 PM on February 7, 2017 [3 favorites]


"I am right and you are wrong."
posted by effbot at 3:15 AM on February 8, 2017 [4 favorites]


not without criticism

So basically "you're mostly right, but I think civilization will collapse and then you'll be wrong" from a guy who's spent the last 50 years arguing that civilization will collapse any minute now. Not entirely sure who's the confused one here :-)
posted by effbot at 3:24 AM on February 8, 2017 [1 favorite]


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posted by Cash4Lead at 3:38 AM on February 8, 2017


Incredibly saddened to hear of his passing. In a less politically contentious time, or with a less stridently correct voice he could have started a movement, I think. And it's on all of us that someone with this level of insight, able to see through emotional and moral preconceptions – to see the realities of global society at all levels – could be marginalised in this way.


We didn't deserve you Hans.
posted by flippant at 4:50 AM on February 8, 2017


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posted by motdiem2 at 4:58 AM on February 8, 2017


He keynoted my organisation's conference a few years back. It was amazing. Like a rock concert for all of us data nerds. He really changed my worldview and I will miss his optimism.

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posted by wingless_angel at 6:54 AM on February 8, 2017 [1 favorite]


Hans Rosling was indeed a good man doing good work.

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posted by kariebookish at 6:59 AM on February 8, 2017


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posted by scruss at 7:29 AM on February 8, 2017


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posted by Faintdreams at 8:25 AM on February 8, 2017


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posted by playeren at 8:41 AM on February 8, 2017


One of his presentations really made me rethink how to approach conveying information -- why shouldn't dry info be fun? You still want people to want to watch it. Why eat a spoonful of bran when you can have a muffin?

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posted by Mchelly at 8:51 AM on February 8, 2017


I was lucky enough to see him speak in person a few years ago. He was a mensch.
posted by mcstayinskool at 10:05 AM on February 8, 2017


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posted by scottatdrake at 10:45 AM on February 8, 2017


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posted by doctornemo at 12:01 PM on February 8, 2017


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Such an amazing person
I've often used the videos in my classes. It's surprising how many of my colleagues have shown a lot of resistance against his work, because it undermines their dystopian world-view.
posted by mumimor at 3:22 PM on February 8, 2017


I must have taught 30 sections of public speaking in the past 10 years, I showed him in almost every class. He had an incredible talent for not missing the forest for the trees, and he was an exemplar for how to use statistics in an engaging and and understandable fashion. I'm almost certain metafilter was where I first saw him. This sucks, but he will have a long lasting impact on the way we use data to support our arguments.
posted by pickinganameismuchharderthanihadanticipated at 4:20 PM on February 8, 2017 [1 favorite]


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