The social networking boomFocus graphs the boom in social networking sites over the last decade — from early pioneers like Classmates.com to recent innovators like Twitter.
Graph pr0n
Heath care spending around the world
How much do different countries spend on health care? And how well does that correlate with the health of their citizens? An eye-opening infographic from GOOD.
Internet access: more than just smut and piracy
New data shows Australia’s young people are overwhelmingly using the internet for education more than anything else — yes, even porn — but their access to the web is strongly tied to socio-economic factors. Should the government started subsidising net access for low-income families?
A graphic history of newspaper circulation
The Awl has combined circulation figures for the major US newspapers going back to 1990 to create an eye-opening chart of media carnage. One of these things is not like the others…
Possum: Swings and misses in the new pendulum
Possum Comitatus looks at the new federal election pendulum. While the electoral system still slightly favours the Coalition, even after the redistributions, it would need a swing of 2.3% to win government.
Left vs. Right politics: an amazing illustrated explanation
Check out the incredibly detailed graphics by Information is Beautiful, examining the policies, beliefs and characteristics of the average Leftie liberal or Right wing conservative.
Howard vs. Rudd at 23 months
Possum Comitatus’ visual comparison of Howard vs. Rudd on net satisfaction, preferred PM and the two-party preferred polls at 23 months in shows relatively smooth sailing for Mr 70 Per Cent.
Wall St wages vs. Average wages
A disturbing chart tracks the average tracking the average Wall St bonus against the average American wage since 1985. And despite the GFC, they’re on the rise again. No wonder bankers are feasting on $43 steaks.
We are all authors now
Two scientists have plotted the number of published authors per year since the year 1400, finding that with the rise of social media, the number is growing nearly tenfold every year. Authors — once an elite minority — will soon be a majority.
Everything you need to know about big-P politics in four simple charts
Barely 10 years ago, the dynamics of the government/public relationship was such that the Prime Minister neither lifted nor depressed the party vote very much, says Possum Comitatus. But with the rise of PR-driven politics, just check out the charts now…
Who really breaks the big news?
New York Mag chose seven random news stories from a random day, and tracked them backwards to determine who was actually responsible for the individual pieces of original reporting that advanced each one. Then they charted it. Brilliant.
Push vs. Pull: asylum seeker numbers and statistics
While Pull Factors most likely have some relatively small effect the numbers of boat people seeking asylum in Australia, they are overwhelmingly swamped by Push Factors, says Possum Comitatus.
When it comes to asylum seekers, Australia is no Malta
Where exactly does Australia rank in the world in terms of generosity towards displaced persons? Probably lower than we should, says Sean Carmody.
Which browser works best?
The performance of the top 5 major web browsers are have been tested, compared and compiled into this handy chart. Which program is leading the pack? You might be surprised…
The grey vote
The ‘Depression Era’ vote is the most electorally significant demographic for the Coalition, says Possum Comitatus. Without it, Howard would have lost in 1998, lost in 2001 and it would have been line ball in 2004. But when they die off, where will the votes come from?
Visualising 50 years of space travel
An amazing interactive infographic displaying every mission into space for the last 50 years. Poor lonely Pluto.
A history of nuclear polling
With a new poll today revealing almost half of Australians now support considering nuclear power as an alternative energy source, Possum Comitatus charts the history of polling on the issue since 2006.
A new way of looking at the Coalition’s polling pain
While 100% of the Coalition’s time in opposition has been spent facing defeat, 90% of that time has been spent facing complete electoral oblivion, reports Possum Comitatus, with some new data-crunching insights.
A quarter of the world is Muslim
Almost a quarter of the world’s population is Muslim, according to a new study. Livemint maps the world’s Muslim population, and the results may surprise some people: the majority of Islamic practitioners live in Asia, not the Middle East.
Comparing the party leaders’ speeches: in wordle form
How does Tory leader David Cameron’s recent big pitch to the nation stand up against the speeches of Gordon Brown, Tony Blair or Margaret Thatcher? What if we compare them… as a wordle!?
How to crack a master lock
Gizmodo explains the three easy steps to cracking any Master Lock in 100 attempts or less.
It’s about the housing shortage, stupid
Our biggest public policy problem is that we don’t have enough dwellings for people who live here, with an estimated shortage in 2008 of 34,000 dwellings. Plus, we’re importing people at a rate of knots.
Who is getting faster, cheaper internet than you?
Well, the Japanese for a start, who get an average connection speed of 61mbps (versus our 1.7mbps) at a fraction of the price. This great infographic compares broadband speed, price and penetration around the world. See how behind we really are.
102 seat landslide for Labor
If a Federal election was held today, the ALP would most likely win a whopping 102 seats in Parliament — a 19 seat gain on their current position, says Possum Comitatus. Start panicking, Malcolm.
The death of newspapers
A depressing-yet-informative little infographic charting the downturn in revenue, circulation, stock price and advertising in the newspaper industry.
