The Average American Book Review Every citizen of our country knows the term the average. Although the researchers and scholars often refer to the term the average American, nobody knows exactly who that is. More than 250 pages of the book by Kevin O’Keefe explore the meaning of average. Kevin O’Keefe notes that the person, who inspired him to write a book, was not an average person. His name was Lambert Adolph Jacques Quetelet, the man who created the first international statistics conference (O’Keefe 2005).
Quetelet discovered that our actions usually refer to a pattern (the bell curve) with the most average result charted in the peak position (O’Keefe 2005).
In 1827 Quetelet decided to conduct the ultimate statistical study in order to discover the features of demographically average person. He used several criteria (referred to physiology, anatomy, psychology, behavior, etc.) such as the median chest measurement, drunkenness, strength, age, sex, family, geographical region, profession, etc.
Although the scientist defined no specific average person, contemporary scholars were interested with his attempts. Nowadays the U.S. Census Bureau is the most reliable source for getting statistic data due to careful statistic analysis and data collection. The U.S. Census uses hundreds of criteria in order to conduct a reliable statistic analysis. Kevin O’Keefe bases his investigation on U.S. Census Bureaus data and other statistical sources in order to define an average American.
The Essay on Statistics 3
Statistics are numbers or figures that have been measured and are used to reach a quantitative conclusion on a subject or event. For example: the literacy rate in Ethiopia right now is about 30%. By using this statistic, we come to the conclusion that the literacy rate is very low. However, in the process of stating that statistic, I was able to convince you that it is the right one. Therefore, ...
He applies geographical filters that relate to less than half of the country. He also uses some population criteria that are external to a citizens choice (i.e. one of his requirements relates to political belonging of the senator, but omits the political belonging of the candidate).
Some of these filters spoil the reliability of his survey as they take much territory of our country out of consideration. So, what are the main criteria for average American? In order to be qualified an average American you should satisfy more than 140 carefully chosen criteria and should: – Live within two miles of a public park and three miles of McDonalds; within fifty miles of the city you was born and grew in; – Earn more or be more successful in your financial performance than your parents are; – Earn up to $75,000 per year; – Be of healthy weight, but spend 95% of the time indoors. You should go to bed before the midnight; – You should drive a car at least eight years old with no vanity plates – Believe in the Holy Bible and its literal truth; – Be against abortion because it is morally illegal, but at the same time to adhere to opinion that an individual have freedom in choosing; – Believe in God but have some thoughts or perform actions that are traditionally blamed by the Christian churches; – Live in a permanent home occupied by 2.62 people, own at least one pet; The home sould have a private lawn – Have an electric coffee-maker, a dryer, and a washing machine; – Believe that Jews make up 18% of the entire population; – Rather spend a week in prison than become President; Reasoning from the aforesaid, I would be disqualified as an average American because I earn less than my parents and live within 10 miles of a public park.
I have no pet and no electric coffee-maker; I spend more than 5% of my time outdoors. Im interested in politics and even think about choosing a politics-related career. I drive a new car, I live with my parents and a brother (it means that no 2.62 people live in our house), I go to bed late at night and live in the city I was born and grew in. Although the concept of average America is useless for the majority of readers, it can be interesting for professionals interested in marketing, politics and social sciences. The facts are given in a friendly easy-to-understand way and can help the reader to define to what extent he can be called an average American. It is also important to remember that statistic data is very sensitive.
The Term Paper on African Americans and Politics
For decades African Americans have faced struggles throughout history. Most notably, African Americans were involved in slavery, suffrage, and the civil rights movement. These struggles were very visible and everyone was aware of what was going on. However, now African Americans are involved in a struggle that it not visible and recognizable. This is a struggle that is used to capitalize on wealth ...
Its use or misuse can influence us by using various methods to support almost any type of information. References: O’Keefe, Kevin. (2005).
The Average American: The Extraordinary Search for the Nation’s Most Ordinary Citizen. PublicAffairs.
