What’s One Weird Statistic That Defines You?

Bentonville, Arkansas leads the country in having the most construction cranes per capita. This includes major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and even New York City. It’s an extraordinary statistic that says a lot about their rapid, ongoing development.

And they’re weirdly proud of it.

The Netherlands has more bicycles than people, averaging around 1.3 bikes per person. They have a robust cycling infrastructure that allows them to easily integrate biking as part of their life.

And they, too, are weirdly proud of it.

Bhutan famously measures its success by Gross National Happiness rather than Gross Domestic Product. In 2022, only 6.4% were unhappy.

And they’re also weirdly proud of it— and happy?

The Power Of Statistics

When we see numbers paired with a trusted source, we disarm ourselves and want to believe it’s true. Statistics have that kind of power: they make information make sense and influence our behaviors.

They influence our education, census data, public health and our financial markets.

And they can also influence ourselves.

Statistics can tell a moving story. Our lives conjure countless stories that make them unique and unforgettable.

We should extract statistics from our personal stories. Because if statistics are to be trusted (and verified), then wouldn’t it be interesting to have a statistic that’s unique and unforgettable?

A personal statistic speaks volumes about who we are and what we do. It makes others inquisitive.

Toni Morrison has been the most frequently banned author since 1990. Yet her books are always talked about and have won her numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize and a Nobel Prize.

Someone described it perfectly: “Her books do not sugarcoat or use euphemisms. And that is actually what people have trouble with.”

That type of controversy is what makes us curious.

Make It Quirky

Here’s a bonus: the quirkier it is, the better.

It’s far easier to remember the unusual and unconventional than it is to remember the average and ordinary.

Nobody thinks about what’s common. That’s boring. The uncommon is what makes us wonder.

I’m not saying you should bring up your weird statistic at every dinner party or networking event, but to have it at your disposal when the occasion is called upon is plenty.

How intriguing conversations would be if we had a weird statistic to describe ourselves.

Here’s my inspiration for the day.

Sources: