Natural graph created by the sun, a magnifying glass, and a tree.

Someone on Reddit posted this cool picture of a...contraption? I'll go with contraption. Anyway, it automatically generates a chart of the amount of sunlight per day by burning a log. A Twitter follower recognized this as a Campbell-Stokes recorder.

This is beautiful art and data visualization from Hood-Glen Park in San Francisco.

How to use in class:
1) Make a bunch of really dumb logarithm jokes.
2) A nice introduction to data visualization. Maybe this could be paired with more traditional sources of weather data.
3) Also makes me think of other naturally occurring charts:

Also, while less pretty, think about all the data that is automatically created every time Google Maps identifies your location (and then warns everyone using Google Maps to avoid traffic slowdowns) or Netflix provides you with recommendations based on viewing habits. The Campbell-Stokes recorder could serve as a metaphorical segue into a discussion about all the automated data collection that goes on around us at all times.

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Andy Field's Statistics Hell

Andy Field is a psychologist, statistician, and author. He created a funny, Dante's Inferno-themed web site that contains everything you ever wanted to know about statistics. I know, I know, you're thinking, "Not another Dante's Inferno themed statistics web site!". But give this one a try. Property of Andy Field. I certainly can't take credit for this. Some highlights: 1) The aesthetic is priceless. For example, his intermediate statistics page begins with the introduction, "You will experience the bowel-evacuating effect of multiple regression, the bone-splintering power of ANOVA and the nose-hair pulling torment of factor analysis. Can you cope: I think not, mortal filth. Be warned, your brain will be placed in a jar of cerebral fluid and I will toy with it at my leisure." 2) It is all free. Including worksheets, data, etc. How amazing and generous. And, if you are feeling generous and feel the need to compensate him for the website, ...

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