How's My Math?
Ever hear of the Pareto Principle?
It states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. It seems to work for a lot of things: investments, sales, all sorts of human behavior, and even what we would call strictly “natural events” (those with no human involvement). Surely, not something physicists can easily explain, nor politicians.
Mr Pareto aside, this evening, I’m looking at the 33%. Roughly speaking, 33% of Americans are rabid Trump supporters, red hats and all. Another 33% are vehemently opposed to him and his policies. That leaves the last third, 33% of the people who don’t give a hoot, or are otherwise occupied by other things. Let’s add this up: 33 + 33 + 33 = 99. Wait, that leaves the one percent. That’s who will decide how things go in the nation? It doesn’t seem fair, but it does seem familiar.
During the American Revolution, it’s said that 33% wanted independence, 33% were happy with crazy King George running the show, and 33% just wanted to be left alone to drink their cider in peace (usually hard cider). History tells us how that ended.
More recently, in 1933, Hitler won the vote for chancellor with 33%. A third were vehemently opposed to him, and the other third was too busy drinking schnapps or eating bratwurst to pay much attention. We all know how that worked out.
Back to modern times. If Mr Pareto is correct, we need only concentrate on 20% of the 33% to effect 80% of the change that seems to be desperately needed.
;)
It states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. It seems to work for a lot of things: investments, sales, all sorts of human behavior, and even what we would call strictly “natural events” (those with no human involvement). Surely, not something physicists can easily explain, nor politicians.
Mr Pareto aside, this evening, I’m looking at the 33%. Roughly speaking, 33% of Americans are rabid Trump supporters, red hats and all. Another 33% are vehemently opposed to him and his policies. That leaves the last third, 33% of the people who don’t give a hoot, or are otherwise occupied by other things. Let’s add this up: 33 + 33 + 33 = 99. Wait, that leaves the one percent. That’s who will decide how things go in the nation? It doesn’t seem fair, but it does seem familiar.
During the American Revolution, it’s said that 33% wanted independence, 33% were happy with crazy King George running the show, and 33% just wanted to be left alone to drink their cider in peace (usually hard cider). History tells us how that ended.
More recently, in 1933, Hitler won the vote for chancellor with 33%. A third were vehemently opposed to him, and the other third was too busy drinking schnapps or eating bratwurst to pay much attention. We all know how that worked out.
Back to modern times. If Mr Pareto is correct, we need only concentrate on 20% of the 33% to effect 80% of the change that seems to be desperately needed.
;)
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