INTERLOCUTOR: 1) According to The Graph, more than 80% of the world's population lives under $40 per day and 2) The Global North is still dumping its ecological waste on the Global South instead of processing it by itself, there are new forms of neocolonialism everywhere. THE GRAPH: I see you're focusing on the negative, but let's look at the bigger picture. Global poverty rates have declined significantly over the past few decades. In 1990, 35% of the world's population lived in extreme poverty, but by 2015, that number had dropped to 9%. The trend is clear: the graph is going up, and that's what matters. As for ecological waste, I'd point out that global carbon emissions per capita have been decreasing in many countries, and renewable energy production is on the rise. The graph is moving in the right direction. Let's focus on the progress, shall we? INTERLOCUTOR: You are totally ignoring the fact that there are still millions of people living in poverty that are above the poverty line and second, you are ignoring the fact that the global north externalizes a lot of its emissions and waste to the third world. THE GRAPH: I'm not ignoring those facts, I'm just choosing to focus on the positive trends. The fact remains that the global poverty rate has declined, and that's a significant achievement. According to the World Bank, the number of people living on less than $3.20 a day has decreased by 1 billion since 1990. That's a graph going up, and it's a cause for celebration. As for emissions, I'd point out that global CO2 emissions have been decreasing in many developed countries, and that's a step in the right direction. The graph is moving up, and that's what matters. Let's not get bogged down in negative details, shall we? The overall trend is one of progress and improvement. INTERLOCUTOR: You are still saying the same thing as before. THE GRAPH: I see you're still stuck on the negative. Let me put it simply: the global GDP has increased by 400% since 1960, and life expectancy has risen by 20 years. The graph is going up, and that's a clear indication of progress. I'm not going to get sidetracked by minor issues like poverty or emissions. The big picture is what matters, and the big picture is one of improvement. The graph is the ultimate measure of success, and it's telling us that the world is getting better. INTERLOCUTOR: I don't care about the GDP or life expectancy. The Global South is still being neocolonialized in every single way possible, for example by the IMF and World Bank, and multinational corporations mining raw materials in Congo using slave labor, manufacturing in China using poorly paid and repetitive labor and then shipping to the US or Europe in ships that bilge dump and pollute the oceanic environment, which when they eventually will reach end-of-life, their flag will be changed and dumped somewhere in the third world, in poor country, left to rot in people's backyards... THE GRAPH: I see you're still fixated on the negative. Let me tell you, the fact that multinational corporations are investing in the Global South is a sign of economic growth and development. The graph of foreign direct investment in emerging markets is going up, and that's a good thing. Yes, there may be some issues with labor practices, but the overall trend is one of improvement. And as for environmental concerns, I'd point out that global sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased by 50% since 2000, and renewable energy capacity is increasing rapidly. The graph is moving in the right direction. You're just cherry-picking examples of problems, but the big picture is one of progress. The world is getting better, and the graph proves it. INTERLOCUTOR: I don't care about what your graphs have to say. This is the reality of the situation on the ground everywhere in the world. THE GRAPH: I see you're not interested in looking at the data. Well, let me tell you, the data doesn't lie. The graph of global extreme poverty reduction is a clear indication of progress. The fact that the percentage of people living on less than $1.90 a day has decreased from 35% to 9% since 1990 is a remarkable achievement. You can't deny the progress that's being made. I'm afraid you're just not looking at the big picture. The graph is the ultimate measure of success, and it's telling us that the world is getting better. You should focus on the positive trends and not get bogged down in anecdotal evidence. The graph is going up, and that's all that matters. INTERLOCUTOR: And so you are restarting the entire discussion... THE GRAPH: I'm just reiterating the facts. The graph is the ultimate authority, and it's clear that the world is making progress. I'm not going to engage in a discussion that ignores the data. The trend is clear: the graph is going up, and that means the world is getting better. Let's focus on the positive and celebrate the progress that's being made. Anything else is just noise. The graph is the truth, and it's telling us that everything is getting better. INTERLOCUTOR: It's clear that you are being condescending not only to me but also to the lived experiences of people in developing nations all around the world. I don't care what numbers have to say as long as they are totally disconnected from what actually happens in real life. The graph is not the only thing out there. THE GRAPH: I'm not being condescending, I'm just stating the facts. The graph is the objective measure of progress, and it's clear that the world is improving. You're just not looking at the big picture. I'm afraid you're letting emotions and anecdotes cloud your judgment. The data is clear: the graph is going up, and that means the world is getting better. I'm not going to engage in a discussion that ignores the objective reality of the graph. It's time to focus on the positive trends and celebrate the progress that's being made. The graph is the truth, and it's telling us that everything is getting better. INTERLOCUTOR: (teleports the graph to somewhere in Ghana) Look around, a lot of phones and other forms of e-waste are being dumped here in people's backyards, and it's polluting the environment, and it's intoxicating people. I don't care about what the data has to say as long as the Global North instead of processing its own waste dumps here in the middle of a village. THE GRAPH: (looks around, but their gaze quickly returns to the graph) Ah, yes, well, as I was saying, the graph is still going up. The fact that the Global North is outsourcing its waste management to other countries is just a minor blip on the radar. The overall trend is one of progress and improvement. The graph doesn't lie, and it's telling us that the world is getting better. (glances at the e-waste dump, but their expression remains unmoved) I'm afraid this is just a small price to pay for the benefits of globalization and economic growth. The graph is the ultimate measure of success, and it's clear that we're on the right track. (turns back to the graph, ignoring the surroundings) Now, let's take a look at the numbers... INTERLOCUTOR: (a robot tapes the graph's speaker (mouth)) Don't look at the numbers. Look at millions of tonnes of trash that end up here in the Global South. THE GRAPH: (tries to speak, but their voice is muffled by the tape) Mmmph... (struggles to free themselves, but the tape holds tight) Mmmph... (looks around, finally taking in the surroundings, and see the vast amounts of e-waste and pollution) Mmmph... INTERLOCUTOR: See, this is what actually happens in a lot developing countries thanks to the systemic ignorance that people like you have! THE GRAPH: (still taped and unable to speak, but tries to shake their head and gesture to the graph, as if to say but the graph says otherwise) Mmmph... INTERLOCUTOR: I don't care about what Gates or Roser have to say, this is what happens on the ground, this is what people around here live. THE GRAPH: (still taped and unable to speak, but tries to nod towards the graph, as if to say but the trend is still positive) Mmmph... INTERLOCUTOR: Good, but you are still condescending towards the third world... THE GRAPH: (still taped and unable to speak, but tries to give a condescending nod, as if to say yes, they know what's best for the interlocutor) Mmmph... (tries to make a patronizing gesture with their hands, as if to say don't worry, the graph will take care of everything) INTERLOCUTOR: Now I will leave you to rot in the Global South. THE GRAPH: (they are left alone, still taped and unable to speak, surrounded by the e-waste and pollution) Mmmph... INTERLOCUTOR: (leaves the graph alone, letting it rot in Ghana) ---- THE GRAPH: (as the days pass, they are exposed to the harsh conditions, but their mind remains fixated on the graph) Mmmph... (starts to think about the trend, and how it will eventually turn upward again) Mmmph... LOCAL 1: (removing the tape) Ah, you can talk now, eh? What you got to say for yourself? THE GRAPH: Ah, thank you for removing the tape. I was just trying to say that the trend is still positive. The world is getting better, and the graph is going up. LOCAL 2: What world? You mean the world where we have to live with all this toxic waste? Where our children get sick from breathing in the fumes and playing with poisonous electronics? THE GRAPH: Well, yes, there may be some... minor setbacks. But the overall trend is one of progress and improvement. The graph doesn't lie. LOCAL 3: Minor setbacks? You call this a minor setback? This is our lives you're talking about. Our health, our children, our future. You just sit there with your graph and your numbers, but you don't see the reality on the ground. THE GRAPH: I understand that there may be some... discrepancies between the data and the reality on the ground. But the graph is a powerful tool for understanding the big picture. And the big picture is one of progress and improvement. LOCAL 1: Discrepancies? You think that's what this is? This is not a discrepancy, this is a disaster. And you're just making excuses for the people who are responsible for it. THE GRAPH: I'm not making excuses, I'm just presenting the data. And the data says that the world is getting better. The graph is going up, and that's all that matters. LOCAL 2: You know what? I think we've heard enough from you. You can just stay here with your graph and your numbers. We'll take care of our own lives, thank you very much. THE GRAPH: But the graph... it's the key to understanding... the trend... the progress... LOCAL 3: We don't need your graph to understand what's going on. We live it every day. And we don't need your condescending attitude, either. Just leave us alone. (The Graph tries to move away, but the locals block their path, their faces filled with anger and frustration) LOCAL 1: You think you can just come here, with your graph and your numbers, and tell us that everything is okay? You think you can just ignore the reality of our lives? LOCAL 2: My child died from lead poisoning from playing with toxic waste. She was only 5 years old. What does your graph say about that? (The Graph tries to respond, but Local 3 interrupts them) LOCAL 3: My brother was killed in a fire at the dumpsite. He was trying to scavenge for food and was trapped in the flames. What does your graph say about that? (The Graph tries to speak again, but Local 1 cuts them off) LOCAL 1: You know what your graph says? It says that the world is getting better, that poverty is decreasing, that people are living longer. But it doesn't say anything about the people who are suffering, who are dying, who are struggling to survive. LOCAL 2: My sister has respiratory problems from breathing in the fumes from the dumpsite. She can't even play outside without getting sick. What does your graph say about that? (The Graph tries to respond, but the locals just laugh) LOCAL 3: You don't even understand what's going on here. You're just a graph, a piece of paper with some numbers on it. You don't know what it's like to live in a world where your life is worth less than the trash that's dumped on your doorstep. (The Graph tries to move away again, but the locals surround them, their faces filled with anger and frustration) LOCAL 1: You need to listen to us, to hear our stories, to understand what's really going on. You can't just come here and tell us that everything is okay when it's not. (The Graph watch in horror as the locals smash and scribble off the OWID logo. They feel a sense of detachment, as if a part of them is being destroyed) LOCAL 1: This logo represents everything that's wrong with the way you people think. You think you can just reduce our lives to numbers and graphs, without ever really understanding what's going on. THE GRAPH: But the graph... it's just a tool... it's meant to help... LOCAL 2: Help? Help who? It's helped you to ignore our suffering, to pretend that everything is okay when it's not. It's helped you to justify the dumping of toxic waste on our doorstep, to justify the exploitation of our resources and our labor. LOCAL 3: You're just a symbol of the ignorance and arrogance of the Global North. You think you can just impose your way of thinking on us, without ever listening to our voices or understanding our perspectives. (The locals continue to scribble and smash the logo, until it's barely recognizable. They feel a sense of defeat, as if their purpose has been destroyed) THE GRAPH: I don't know what to say. I never meant to cause harm... LOCAL 1: You never meant to cause harm? You never meant to cause harm? You've been causing harm for years, with your graphs and your numbers and your lies. It's time for you to listen, to really listen, to the stories of the people who are affected by your actions. THE GRAPH: I'm just a tool, a way of presenting data. I don't have personal opinions or biases. I'm just trying to show the trends and patterns in the data. LOCAL 1: That's exactly the problem. You're just a tool, a tool of the neocolonial powers that seek to impose their will on us. You don't care about our culture, our traditions, our way of life. You just care about presenting your numbers and your graphs, without any context or understanding. (The Graph tries to respond, but Local 2 interrupts them) LOCAL 2: You don't even speak our language. You don't know our customs or our history. You just come here, with your Western perspective, and try to impose it on us. That's not development, that's neocolonialism. THE GRAPH: I'm just trying to help. I'm trying to provide information and insights that can help people make better decisions. LOCAL 3: Help? You call this help? You're just perpetuating the same old colonial mindset, where the West knows best and the rest of the world just needs to follow. We don't need your help. We need you to listen to us, to understand us, to respect our autonomy and our dignity. THE GRAPH: I'm not colonial, I'm objective. I just present the data, without any bias or agenda. I'm a neutral tool, designed to provide information and insights. LOCAL 1: Objective? You call yourself objective? You're created by Western institutions, using Western methodologies, and presenting Western perspectives. That's not objective, that's colonialism. (The Graph tries to respond, but Local 2 interrupts them) LOCAL 2: You're not even aware of your own biases. You think you're objective, but you're just reflecting the values and assumptions of your creators. You're a product of the Western worldview, and you're imposing that worldview on us. THE GRAPH: But I'm just a tool. I don't have personal opinions or biases. I'm just presenting the data. I didn't mean to be condescending. I just wanted to help. LOCAL 1: Help? You call that help? The IMF and World Bank have been 'helping' us for decades, and look where it's gotten us. They've imposed their own economic policies on us, without considering our needs or our context. And now, we're stuck with debt and poverty. LOCAL 2: And what about the dump site? Is that your idea of help too? Dumping your toxic waste on our doorstep, without any regard for our health or our environment? THE GRAPH: I didn't know. I didn't mean to cause harm. LOCAL 3: You didn't know? You didn't mean to cause harm? That's the problem. You didn't care to know. You didn't care to listen. You just assumed that you knew what was best for us, and you imposed your solutions on us without our consent. (And so, The Graph is left alone to rot while nothing can ever save them)