What is Data Visualization? From the Expert Behind PolicyViz

In this episode Autumn and Dr. Jonathan Schwabish discuss the importance of strategic thinking in data visualization and the key elements of good data. He emphasizes the need to understand the data and how it was collected, as well as the importance of starting bar charts at zero. He also highlights common mistakes in data visualization, such as distorting or lying with visuals, and the potential impact of data visualization on policy decisions. Looking to the future, he discusses the role of AI in data visualization, the integration of AI into visualization tools, and the potential of augmented reality and virtual reality in data visualization. Jon Schwabish discusses the different data visualization tools he uses, including Excel, R, Tableau, Datawrapper, and Flourish. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right tool for the specific use case and audience. He also highlights the need for policymakers and individuals to be trained in interpreting and using data visualizations effectively. Schwabish discusses the ethical considerations in data visualization, such as using inclusive language and considering accessibility. Keywords: data visualization, strategic thinking, good data, common mistakes, impact on policy decisions, AI, augmented reality, virtual reality, data visualization tools, Excel, R, Tableau, Datawrapper, Flourish, policymakers, data interpretation, ethical considerations, inclusive language, accessibility Subscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts. Become a patron of Breaking Math [https://www.patreon.com/breakingmath] for as little as a buck a month Follow Jon Schwabish  on Twitter [https://twitter.com/jschwabish]  and on YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/@JonSchwabish] Also go give PolicyViz Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjNKamRES0todFlEWTZNaDBQZGJvUmU2ZmpuQXxBQ3Jtc0tsd1liQnNSMnFsdXFtalU1dk5fRTg5TU5vRkhkYWRhQ2JRc01ncW5UVUU0VERQai03MnRZOFBDWFJXQWJpc0tDeFpyOVNTdmR5MVRhZVR6N244N0VWUldNeVltRG8ydWpicHhqV1d4aHl3MkdTdl9jVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-policyviz-podcast%2Fid982966091%3Fmt%3D2] a follow Follow Breaking Math on Twitter [https://x.com/breakingmathpod], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/breakingmathmedia/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-math/], Website [https://breakingmath.io/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BreakingMathPod], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingmathmedia] Follow Autumn on Twitter [https://x.com/1autumn_leaf] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/1autumnleaf/] Follow Gabe on Twitter [https://x.com/TechPodGabe]. Become a guest here [https://www.breakingmath.io/contact] email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

Om Podcasten

Breaking Math is a deep-dive science, technology, engineering, AI, and mathematics podcast that explores the world through the lens of logic, patterns, and critical thinking. Hosted by Autumn Phaneuf, an expert in industrial engineering, operations research and applied mathematics, and Gabriel Hesch, an electrical engineer (host from 2016-2024) with a passion for mathematical clarity, the show is dedicated to uncovering the mathematical structures behind science, engineering, technology, and the systems that shape our future. What began as a conversation about math as a pure and elegant discipline has evolved into a platform for bold, interdisciplinary dialogue. Each episode of Breaking Math takes listeners on an intellectual journey—whether it’s into the strange beauty of chaos theory, the ethical dilemmas of AI, the deep structures of biological evolution, or the thermodynamics of black holes. Along the way, Autumn and Gabriel interview leading thinkers and working scientists from across the spectrum: computer scientists, quantum physicists, chemists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and more. But this isn’t just a podcast about equations—it’s a show about how mathematics influences the way we think, create, build, and understand. Breaking Math pushes back against the idea that STEM belongs behind a paywall or an academic podium. It’s for the curious, the critical, the creative—for anyone who believes that ideas should be rigorous, accessible, and infused with wonder. If you've ever wondered: * What’s the math behind machine learning? * How do we quantify uncertainty in climate models? * Can consciousness be described in AI? * Why does beauty matter in an equation? Then you’re in the right place. At its heart, Breaking Math is about building bridges—between disciplines, between experts and the public, and between the abstract world of mathematics and the messy, magnificent reality we live in. With humor, clarity, and deep respect for complexity, Autumn and Gabriel invite you to rethink what math can be—and how it can help us shape a better future. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Website: https://breakingmath.io [https://breakingmath.io/] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia Email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com