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If you’re like me, this Dilbert comic may give you a chuckle.  I typically read Dilbert because there are some pretty funny strips and you need to laugh every once in a while, right?  As of late, a little laughter might offset some of the crying from looking at investment or 401(k) returns [or lack of] from 2008 and year-to-date. 

With the one below that was posted on March 9th, there is a message that I think is important to those folks that are creating charts and graphs and those that are viewing them.  My rule of thumb is to question the data or designer when I see a lot of "dressed up" data.  The more glitz and chart bling, the more it makes me question the data and creator.  A good data visualization or data presentation will speak for itself and doesn’t need chartjunk or gaudy colors to send a message. 

The old saying goes: "If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with buIIshit".  Well, if you apply this saying to data, it might go: "If you can’t enlighten them with elegance, baffle them with bling".

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Updated per Jon’s link in the comments.  This one never gets old…

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My gift you to; a post that should guarantee some laughter! What I like about this video is:

1. You’d be lying if you never shook a laser printer cartridge and got some black powder on you. Even gasoline can’t get that stuff off…
2. The ingenuity of trying to photocopy his monitor (makes me laugh just writing this).
3. Not a word is said the entire video.
4. After smashing the copier, he goes back to his desk as if to just sit down like nothing happened. Seems like there should be some PRICELESS reference here…

DSA wishes you a very happy Holiday Season!

Disclaimer: Please don’t try this at home or the office!

Here at DSA Insights we are introducing an occasional post (Lite Friday…) that is meant to entertain. For the most part, these posts will be geared towards data, visualization or office humor. Some of the videos you may have seen before, but if you’re like me, I laugh every time. Sometimes it’s just nice to take a minute and do something that makes you smile or laugh.

This video did just that. It made me laugh out loud at one point. Even though it is unquestionably a staged video, I could envision someone doing many of the things this gentleman did. Enjoy!