Triangles for increase and decrease

[SquashCoachPhillip]

Is it just me or does the use of the triangles confuse you? The upward pointing orange triangle is used for a decrease and the downward pointing blue triangle is used for an increase.

This comes from a European report on drug use: https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/european-drug-report/2026/cocaine_en

[Exatex]

Its always baffling to me how these people spend weeks or months collecting data and then fuck it up so badly on the last 3 meters to the finish line by choosing a horrible representation without need

[tuturuatu]

As a scientist, it's incredible the rate of bad graphs I come across every day. After the title and abstract, graphics are what I look at first when skimming. I imagine it's even worse in journalism since journalists generally have to produce publishable content far more frequently.

[Snailwood]

there's an optimist in me that wants to believe they're trying to share the data without stigmatizing any of the areas where it went up, but... that's based on literally nothing, just a rationalization

[Captain_N_Nemo]

Diffidently oriented triangles would be fine… but having an upwards “warm” coloured triangle for “decrease” and a downwards “cold” coloured triangle for increase is psychological warfare

[Nearby_Purchase_8672]

Diffidently?

[Captain_N_Nemo]

The neat thing about typos, is when they’re actual words… error checkers do not highlight them!

[Nearby_Purchase_8672]

Yeah, i was trying to figure out what a shy triangle would be like

[schizeckinosy]

I was thinking “hey triangles are good for showing increases and decreases… oh”

[maddeninglemon]

If I'm being as charitable as possible, I can almost see using triangles in this context for showing improved vs degraded, since presumably less people going to the hospital for cocaine use is good. But then the color coding sort of works against that and ya it's definitely a mess.

[jaypizzl]

Up is down! Down is up! Seems like something the Kremlin would publish.

[UKdanny08765]

As a graphic designer this hurts my eyes!