dubious

[Feliks]

Just a few comments based on my own experience. I work in a very fast-paced technological career where conceivably--data visualization should be vital, energetic, and thriving. In my job, (without stating it exactly by name) take my word for it--you'd probably imagine that data graphics support crucial decision-making.

The truth is that graphics wind up mattering very little in the hardcore working world. The reason lies mainly with human factors. My work environment is thronged with computers but no one wastes time creating graphics to support their tasks. Important decisions are--by far--still carried through with politicking, argument, budget discussions, scheduling discussions, tables full of people gabbing to each other. I've never seen any graphic that turned the tide of a hotly-contested issue. Personalities rule any fight and graphics are the first thing dismissed and scoffed at.

Some staff-people and many managerial types, can just not--will just not--'accept' a graphic no matter how elegant or streamlined you make it. In fact, over-elegance and over-streamlining make people question the robustness of whatever you are trying to claim. Overly-snazzy graphics imply that you're hiding true facts by 'Hollywood-izing' your data. I've seen it happen time and time again.

Like it or not, no matter how visually poor spreadsheets are--people in a modern workplace will still insist on them. This has been true of every profession I've been in.

I was once very idealistic about the power of visual design. Long since learned different..