The Life of a Number: Measurement, Meaning and the Media

B. T. Lawson

doi:10.46692/9781529225358

Drawing on case studies, this book examines how politicians, academics and journalists gave meaning to data during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawson sheds light on the distinct nature of the pandemic that led to the increased politicization of data and how it permanently changed the way we view health and society more broadly.

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The Life of a Number

Measurement, Meaning and the Media

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-ii

Dedication
pp iii-iv

Contents
pp v-vi

1 - Introduction
pp 1-17

2 - Data Bounds Are Reinforced by Policy
pp 18-31

3 - Quantitative Realism Underpins Data Bounds
pp 32-44

4 - Quantitative Realism Is Mathematical and Abstract
pp 45-60

5 - Desire for Data Bounds Underpins Quantitative Realism
pp 61-74

6 - Data Bounds Are Emotive
pp 75-87

7 - Data Boundaries Are Drawn Within Historical Norms
pp 88-99

8 - Critically Engaging with Data Bounds
pp 100-120

Afterword
pp 121-122

Notes
pp 123-131

References
pp 132-156

Index
pp 157-159

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The Life of a Number

Measurement, Meaning and the Media

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