The first part of the lecture, though, is an impressive demonstration of ... I'm not exactly sure what. Rosling shows data in a whizzy way, and throws in generalizations as data points dance across the screen.  It could be true, it could be misleading. There's no way of telling.

For some reason, I have the feeling that I'm being sold a bill of goods (I think Rosling is a proponent of globalization). I would like to see his assumptions made explicit -- for example he apparently uses logarithmic scales for wealth and income -- which minimizes our perception of inequality.

Flash is no subsitute for logical thought and analysis. At most, it can show results in a dramatic way.

Hans Rosling has some interesting comments on his blog:

  Global Health back on track! (September 06, 2007)

On 5 September history was made by 7 Ministers of Health from low-income countries together with serious politicians from West Europe and representatives from aid organisations that had learnt their lessons . The group launched the International Health Partnership.

If aid from rich countries should effectively improve health of the poor, they said, the aid must be:

1. coordinated,
   
2. focused on improving health systems as a whole instead of one disease at a time,
   
3. and part of good national plans.

These statements are evidance based, much needed but "un-sexy". So let me translate the 3 statements into blunt words...

...  An evidence base world view requires five thoughts at the same time:

1. World is getting better and better,
   
2. but at the cost of climate change,
   
3. and billions still live miserable lives in poverty
   
4. and in the last decade life got worse for 100 of millions,
   
5. but as the world is stupidly managed, we have many opportunities to fix the world for the grandkids!

more here