Welcome back, data detectives! It’s time to dive into another crunchy edition of The Crunch, your fortnightly fix of captivating charts and delightful data. This week, we’re going hard on maps – from tracking a virus to trailing a Piano Man. But don’t worry, number crunchers, we’ve got plenty of non-cartographic content too. Ready to unravel some seriously fascinating figures? Let’s get started!
Mapping the Mpox Menace
First up, a trigger warning: some of the images in this Reuters story on the mpox outbreak are a bit confronting. But if you can stomach it, this visual primer on a disease declared a public health emergency by the WHO is well worth your time. The interactive graphics show how the virus attacks the body, where it’s spreading globally, and why it’s mutating so rapidly.
According to a close source, understanding the hows and wheres of mpox is crucial for containing its spread. So while it may not be pretty, arming yourself with this knowledge could help prevent you or your loved ones from becoming a statistic on one of these maps.
Piano Man’s Pilgrimage
On a lighter note, ever wanted to track Billy Joel’s tour like a rock star stalker? Well, thanks to a typographical map created for the #30DayMapChallenge, now you can! This clever cartograph plots the locations mentioned in Joel’s 1989 hit “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, each lyric labeled in a font resembling a raging flame.
From Dien Bien Phu to Tiananmen Square, Joel’s whirlwind world tour of historical events is brought to life in blazing detail. It’s a must-see for any music or map lover – and a great way to brush up on your late 20th-century history!
“A typographical map of a song about a fire that we didn’t start… but we can’t stop staring at!”
– Map enthusiast and Billy Joel fan
Lego of My Electoral College
Speaking of creative cartography, how about a Lego recreation of the US presidential election results? That’s right; some enterprising mapper has built the Electoral College brick by brick, with towering red and blue blocks representing each state’s votes.
It’s a playful yet powerful way to visualize America’s political divide – and perhaps inspire some bipartisan bonding over a love of plastic blocks. After all, in these polarized times, couldn’t we all use a little more Lego in our lives?
Washing Machines: Secret Microplastic Spies
Time to air some dirty laundry: did you know your washing machine is likely spitting out trillions of microplastic particles with every load? This Straits Times interactive takes you on a journey from your laundry room to the ocean, showing how these tiny pollutants end up in even the most remote marine habitats.
According to the article, a single wash can release over 700,000 synthetic microfibers – and with billions of loads done each year, that adds up to a staggering amount of plastics entering our waterways. So the next time you throw in a load, remember: you’re not just cleaning your clothes, you’re contributing to a global environmental crisis! Maybe it’s time to invest in a microplastic filter…or just embrace your natural musk and swear off washing altogether.
Electrifying Expenses
While ditching petrol cars for electric vehicles can certainly help cut down on carbon emissions, the cost benefits of going electric vary widely by country. A nifty interactive map from The Economist shows where it makes the most (and least) financial sense to make the switch.
Topping the list of EV-friendly nations is Norway, where cheap renewable energy and generous government incentives make Teslas a tempting proposition. Australia, on the other hand, lands somewhere in the middle – not quite a bargain, but not a budget-buster either.
“In Norway, EVs are practically free – powered by fjords and subsidized by socialist oil wealth. In Australia, they’re a bit like koalas: cute, but not always practical.”
– EV enthusiast and international economist
Sitting Pretty, Standing Tough
Finally, a look at the great divide between the sitters and the standers. No, not a Game of Thrones spinoff, but an interactive exploration of how your job affects your health and earnings.
Created by data viz wiz Alvin Chang for The Pudding, this scrollytelling masterpiece lets you see how your profession stacks up in terms of income, education, and physical activity. From the lofty perches of lawyers to the hard-standing lives of hair stylists, it’s a fascinating glimpse into the hidden hierarchies of the working world.
So whether you’re a standing champion or a sitting pretty, this piece is sure to give you a new appreciation for the ups and downs of making a living. Just remember: no matter your job title, we’re all just trying to make a stand in this crazy, data-driven world.
Well, that’s all for this edition of The Crunch – thanks for mappin’ it with us! Until next time, keep crunching those numbers and spinning those globes. And maybe invest in a standing desk…your lower back will thank you.
