Via Blog-Bud Daphne (indirectly)... a visualization of Wal-Mart's expansion across these United States, from 1964 through 2007. I had to watch the visualization a couple of times as the data flows quickly... and the year is in the lower right hand corner of the screen while the number of stores is in the upper left hand corner. Can you say Rapid-Eye-Movement? Or, more importantly... can you DO REM?
The "5 Best Data Visualization Projects of the Year" is worth your time as well... assuming you're into this sort of thing. Here's a four minute video example (an analysis of on-line dating profiles), taken from the "5 Best" link...
Cool, eh?
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That Walmart thing was pretty cool! Especially when our good 'ol Pville one popped up there! I remember the day it opened, it was a happy day for me! LOL!
ReplyDelete... a visualization of Wal-Mart's expansion ...
ReplyDeleteI have a cold that won't go away ... and now, after watching that (I knew I shouldn't have), I have a cold that won't go away AND I'm depressed.
Very cool! And as a database programmer I'm kinda thrilled that data visualization has been elevated to an art form. The online dating data thing is beautiful as well as interesting.
ReplyDeleteJenny: I can imagine how it WAS a great good day... what with fewer trips over to The Big(ger) City, more choice, yadda, yadda.
ReplyDeleteLori: Your Wal-Mart Derangement Syndrome gets a lil bit tiresome at times. I love ya to death (and you know that's true), but Wal-Mart has done great good things for the rural communities it serves, both in increased product availability and less travel-time to adequate shopping areas. I'd hate to think what Portales would be like WITHOUT Wal-Mart.
And please: I DON'T want to hear about how Wal-Mart exploits its employees and other such urban myths. I don't buy it... pure and simple.
The only issue I have with the company is all the outsourcing it does to the Chinese... but the company is certainly NOT alone in that regard. One can mitigate that distasteful aspect of the company by reading labels and choosing to buy "Made in USA" products... where they stil exist.
Ann: Glad you liked that!! We were commenting simultaneously, LOL! That happens sometimes...
ReplyDeleteI thought the MOMA bit was way-cool, myself. The other things at the "5 Best" site (especially the Radiohead "video") were just mesmerizing... to me, anyhoo.
Lori: Your Wal-Mart Derangement Syndrome gets a lil bit tiresome at times.
ReplyDeleteI know, and I almost didn't post my comment. Oh well ... I know you love me anyway, and you know I love you too.
... Wal-Mart has done great good things for the rural communities it serves, both in increased product availability and less travel-time to adequate shopping areas ...
I guess if I could find one thing, just one thing, at Wal-Mart that I REALLY NEED, I would feel differently about this. But I can't, so I don't. As for what it brings to rural America, my friend Cecile can make a pretty good counter argument about what Wal-Mart has/has not brought to Williston, ND.
Sigh ... and that's all I'm gonna say about it in this space from now on. I promise.
Regarding your link to FlowingData.com: omigod, I think I just wet myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm a complete sucker for awesome visual representation. I even got to help on a conference that linked visual communicators and scientists.
Omigod omigod omigod.
I am so coming back to this and to the "5 Best" site. Just as soon as I finish watching all the Super Bowl ads. Wow. Thanks for posting this Buck.
ReplyDeleteLori sez: ...my friend Cecile can make a pretty good counter argument about what Wal-Mart has/has not brought to Williston, ND.
ReplyDeleteSigh ... and that's all I'm gonna say about it in this space from now on. I promise.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Cecile of the liberal persuasion, too... running as a Democrat for whatever office she ran for? A rather vocal supporter of The One, if I recall correctly? I wouldn't expect her opinion to differ all THAT much from yours. And correct me yet again if I'm wrong, but isn't W-M bashing quite fashionable in "certain circles?"
You can feel free to rant on about Wally-World all ya want, Lori. Just be prepared for me to come back atcha. They have a LOT of things I need... like bread, milk, coffee pots, yadda, yadda... and they're less expensive than the BX or commissary a lot of the time, too. Quite another subject, that. ;-)
Phil sez: Regarding your link to FlowingData.com: omigod, I think I just wet myself.
Now THAT'S the kind of comment that makes blogging worthwhile!!
Doc: See immediately above...
Carrie is going back to school to train as an information designer - she's even blogging about it.
ReplyDeleteI've pointed her to this post.
Carrie has some great stuff at her site, Barry. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong, but isn't Cecile of the liberal persuasion, too... running as a Democrat for whatever office she ran for?
ReplyDeleteTrue, Buck, at least to an extent. I don't think it's quite as simple as spray painting "Liberal/Dem" on Cecile, but I know that's what "both sides" do to one another.
However, we're talking about an every Sunday church going mother of three whose hubby works in the oil fields ... someone who lives in such a remote place (just north of the old radar site) that her mail is delivered only every other day ... and you know what "shopping" is like in Fortuna (there isn't any, other than booze and postage) and Crosby (there's precious little more). And yes, she preferred Obama over McCain, but mostly after Palin was introduced. (We both considered voting for McCain at various times, pre-Palin.)
Probably "liberal leaning moderate" would be a closer description. : )
Like me.
Cool Beans! You linked my find. This guy's blog is awesome.
ReplyDeleteBeen out of pocket for a day or two... lice, basketball and laundry have been eating my lunch.
I love Walmart, but don't shop there often anymore. The service (or lack of it) at my nearest store is abysmal and I lack the patience to waste my time spending money where I feel unappreciated. Life's too short to spend it standing line or dealing with imbeciles.
Lori sez: I don't think it's quite as simple as spray painting "Liberal/Dem" on Cecile, but I know that's what "both sides" do to one another.
ReplyDeleteWell... the KEY difference here is MY Tribe is correct, not to mention "right." ;-)
Daphne sez: Life's too short to spend it standing line or dealing with imbeciles.
ReplyDeleteTruer words... and all that! ;-)