When someone asserts, using statistics they're leveraging statistical authority in a way that can be misleading. Here's why: Numbers Imply Objectivity: A high percentage suggests rigor and accuracy, even if the methodology behind it is flawed or unclear. Confidence vs. Truth: Statistical confidence refers to the likelihood that repeated tests would yield similar results, but it doesn't guarantee correctness. Cognitive Biases: People trust numbers instinctively—especially those with decimal points or specific percentages. The precision itself increases credibility. Strategic Persuasion: High confidence intervals are often used in marketing, politics, and decision-making to push a claim without rigorous scrutiny. In reality, certainty is rare in statistics. Even the most robust scientific findings include margins of error. The trick in persuasion is knowing when statistics are being used accurately versus strategically wielded to sound convincing.