TY - JOUR
T1 - Belief at first sight
T2 - Data visualization and the rationalization of seeing
AU - Kosminsky, Doris
AU - Walny, Jagoda
AU - Vermeulen, Jo
AU - Knudsen, Søren
AU - Willett, Wesley
AU - Carpendale, Sheelagh
PY - 2019/12/31
Y1 - 2019/12/31
N2 - Data visualizations are often represented in public discourse as objective proof of facts. However, a visualization is only a single translation of reality, just like any other media, representation devices, or modes of representation. If we wish to encourage thoughtful, informed, and literate consumption of data visualizations, it is crucial that we consider why they are often presented and interpreted as objective. We reflect theoretically on data visualization as a system of representation historically anchored in science, rationalism, and notions of objectivity. It establishes itself within a lineage of conventions for visual representations which extends from the Renaissance to the present and includes perspective drawing, photography, cinema and television, as well as computer graphics. By examining our tendency to see credibility in data visualizations and grounding that predisposition in a historical context, we hope to encourage more critical and nuanced production and interpretation of data visualizations in the public discourse.
AB - Data visualizations are often represented in public discourse as objective proof of facts. However, a visualization is only a single translation of reality, just like any other media, representation devices, or modes of representation. If we wish to encourage thoughtful, informed, and literate consumption of data visualizations, it is crucial that we consider why they are often presented and interpreted as objective. We reflect theoretically on data visualization as a system of representation historically anchored in science, rationalism, and notions of objectivity. It establishes itself within a lineage of conventions for visual representations which extends from the Renaissance to the present and includes perspective drawing, photography, cinema and television, as well as computer graphics. By examining our tendency to see credibility in data visualizations and grounding that predisposition in a historical context, we hope to encourage more critical and nuanced production and interpretation of data visualizations in the public discourse.
KW - Data visualization
KW - Historical context
KW - Objectivity
KW - Representation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85082743855&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1075/idj.25.1.04kos
DO - 10.1075/idj.25.1.04kos
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85082743855
VL - 25
SP - 43
EP - 55
JO - Information Design Journal
JF - Information Design Journal
SN - 0142-5471
IS - 1
ER -