Go FACT yourself!

Shrusti Ghela
3 min readMay 25, 2023

Today, I want to share a story that involves friendship, tradition, and a dash of intellectual awakening.

My friend Sarthak and I have forged a birthday tradition that combines two of our favorite things: books and the delightful buzz of caffeine. As birthdays come around, we exchange carefully selected literary treasures, accompanied by a crate of exhilarating Monster energy drinks or a pack of heavenly coffee. A perfect blend of intellectual stimulation and liquid fuel, wouldn’t you agree? XD

FACTFULNESS

A few years ago, Sarthak gifted me a book that would go on to change my perspective: “Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World — and Why Things Are Better Than You Think” by Hans Rosling. Little did I know that within its pages lay a transformative journey waiting to unfold. This captivating masterpiece would challenge my long-held beliefs, question my assumptions, and invite me into a world where data reigns supreme.

As I eagerly immersed myself in the book, a captivating blend of storytelling and data analysis by Rosling, I found myself face-to-face with my own biases and misconceptions. Each chapter unmasked the tendencies of our human instincts, revealing how easily we can fall prey to outdated assumptions and media narratives. But rather than leaving me disheartened, “Factfulness” empowered me with a fact-based approach to understanding the world.

Through Rosling’s insights, my once-pessimistic outlook underwent a glorious transformation. The remarkable progress happening across the globe became evident, casting aside the shadows of despair. As I absorbed his emphasis on critical thinking and the pursuit of reliable information, a newfound optimism for the future bloomed within me.

“Factfulness” not only challenged my thinking but also ignited a hunger to dig deeper, verify facts, and question the assumptions that cloud our understanding. The book’s powerful message inspired me to share its wisdom with others, confront misconceptions head-on, and promote a fact-based comprehension of the world around us.

A world of free time, a revoked job offer, and a whole lot of nothingness to fill the void.

Now, let me share my current state of affairs. As fate would have it, my recent job offer was unexpectedly revoked, leaving me with an abundance of free time and the task of job-hunting. (Not that I, in any way, am denying that job-hunting is an unpaid full-time job in itself.) Ah, the sweet symphony of a recession, a dashed job offer, and the infamous Optional Practical Training (OPT) dance. Truly, a trifecta of hurdles that can make even the bravest soul quiver.

So, I present to you my side project, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. Armed with data, I shall embark on this adventure to shed light on the topics we all thought we knew so well. Together, we shall uncover the truths that hide beneath the veils of misconception.

I NEED YOU!

This endeavor cannot thrive in isolation. I request you to be my companions on this intellectual escapade. Your support, feedback, and constructive criticism will be the fuel that propels me forward. So, I invite you to join the conversation, share your insights, and be an integral part of this exhilarating quest for truth.

As I embark on this adventure, I call upon you to suggest intriguing topics for exploration. Is there a subject that you’ve always felt was misunderstood? Let me know! Together, we shall peel back the layers of misconception, guided by the light of curiosity and armed with the mighty weapon of data-driven analysis.

Check this out!

  1. Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World — and Why Things Are Better Than You Think https://www.gapminder.org/factfulness-book/
  2. Gapminder Foundation https://www.gapminder.org/

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Shrusti Ghela
Shrusti Ghela

Written by Shrusti Ghela

MSDS @ University of Washington

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