The best stats you've ever seen | Hans Rosling
What it is
Hans Rosling uses the Gapminder animated-data tool to debunk myths about world development, with sportscaster-like energy. It shows trends in health, income and child survival across countries.
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN invokes it as the classic evidence that the world has improved and that people misjudge it, and as an example of great data presentation.
- 5 people recommended it
- 5 different months
- 4 strong recommendations
- first 2013, last 2026
What HN commenters said
“the original 2007 Gapminder talk[1] still surprised and educates people today”
Classic Gapminder talk that still surprises and educates people.
nl, 2013-12 · Strong recommendation · in “We Need to Talk About TED”
“Rosling also gave one of the best TED talks ever”
One of the best TED talks, showing the world has improved.
jsperson, 2019-09 · Strong recommendation · in “Economists don’t understand much about the macroeconomy”
“always worth a watch.”
A talk worth watching repeatedly, from a great presenter.
mywacaday, 2020-06 · Strong recommendation · in “Fighting poverty accidentally stopped deforestation”
“This classic TED talk [0] by Hans Rosling presents the same idea.”
Classic talk showing people misjudge the state of the world.
sdht0, 2021-05 · Strong recommendation · in “Gapminder: A non-profit fighting global misconceptions”
“I find him an excellent lecturer.”
Data-driven talk by an excellent lecturer on similar subjects.
mzi, 2026-05 · Recommendation · in “Child marriages plunged when girls stayed in school in Nigeria”
Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.
Topics: gapminder, hans rosling, data visualization, child mortality, world development
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