Since its inception, Overflow Data’s purpose has been to make sense of the vast landscape of data within the United States. This has led to the creation of hundreds of data visualizations viewed by millions of users. We are deeply grateful for the feedback and engagement we’ve received from our users. To better serve our audience and focus on the core needs of communities across the country we are going to shift our mission. Going forward, our visualizations and articles will focus on advancing the founding principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” found in the Declaration of Independence.
Why the change?
This change comes after recent reading and reflections on advocating for these founding principles. I’ve recently listened to commentary from Jeffrey Rosen, a prominent legal scholar and CEO of the Constitution Center. He explores the aspirations of the founders to be virtuous people. His insights helped me understand there is both space and a need to promote and discuss these founding principles and the classical philosophy that underpins them. To support these ideals and sharpen our focus, Overflow Data will begin centering these principles in our visualizations and commentary. I believe this shift will help Overflow Data:
- promote the founding principles.
- highlight topics relevant to the American people.
- explore a renewed vision of the American Dream.
Defining “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
To illustrate how Jefferson’s famous phrase will guide our work, let me explain how we interpret and apply each principle and the kinds of topics we’ll explore.
Life
The right to life requires that a government take meaningful steps to protect its people. This involves establishing laws that protect life, maintaining a military to protect the public from external threats, and funding a police force to protect and serve the public. This need for public safety also extends to protecting life in disaster situations and can involve issuing evacuation orders and coordinating the delivery of emergency aid.
In the United States, this duty has expanded to protecting public health. Over time, government agencies at the federal and local levels have begun providing basic health information, enforcing public health ordinances, and under the Affordable Care Act, have required the purchase of health insurance. The responsibility to protect life is a core function of government, but one that must always be balanced with liberty and personal freedom.
Examples of Liberty Focused Articles from Overflow Data
- Which U.S. Counties Have The Most People Without Health Insurance?
- A look at how many people don’thave health insurance in the U.S. by county.
- Demographic Snapshot: Palisades Fire Perimeter
- Discover who has been impacted by wild fires in this LA county disaster.
Liberty
When considering the concept of liberty, it’s important to understand that liberty involves both restraint and participation. Within this framework, governments and citizens play different roles.
The government should ensure participation and transparency in decision-making. It is imperative that the government provide accessible and transparent elections as part of the democratic process. To promote freedom and liberty, the government also needs to practice restraint to ensure that it does not infringe upon the individual liberty of the people.
The public also must practice restraint and participation to ensure our democratic republic continues functioning. Citizens are sometimes required to restrain their individual desires and ambitions to obey the laws and social contract. If they believe these laws cause them harm, they should seek a peaceful redress of their grievances through our democratic system. There is a need for civic-mindedness and political engagement to ensure our representatives fulfill their responsibilities to the people. Together, restraint and participation by both the government and the people create a system where individuals can act according to their conscience in the pursuit of happiness.
Examples of Liberty Focused Articles from Overflow Data
- Why did Americans decide not to vote in the 2016 election?
- Explores reasons for non-participation in a core democratic process.
- What percentage of Americans in each political party believe God exists?
- Examines freedom of believe by political faction.
- How did voter turnout change between the 2014 and 2018 mid-terms?
- Analyzes a shift in political engagement over time.
Pursuit of Happiness
The final founding principle Overflow Data will focus on going forward is the “Pursuit of Happiness.” As modern commentators have pointed out, this has typically been considered a person’s right to own property. This narrow interpretation overlooks the deeper moral call to virtue embedded in Jefferson’s words. This is a call for all Americans to strive to be the best version of themselves so they can find happiness. To address this, we will approach this concept with a lens on social and economic freedom.
The “pursuit of happiness” as a founding principle is about “being good rather than feeling good” or pleasure seeking. This focus, I believe, helps give people a sense of purpose. By exploring how civic well-being and purpose are reflected in data, we can begin to better grasp the elusive question of what truly brings people happiness.
I believe, deeply and personally, that people are meant to experience joy. Focusing on what brings people joy and the unique ways people are able to achieve this in America will help us better understand the “pursuit of happiness” and realize what the American Dream looks like in the 21st century.
Examples of Pursuit of Happiness Focused Articles from Overflow Data
- What Percentage of Americans are Happy?
- A breakdown of how happy Americans are.
- How Often Do Americans Attend Church?
- An examination of how many Americans attend religious services.
- How do Americans Differ by Age?
- A look at how traits like marital status and employment differ with age.
Rediscovering the American Dream
There is a clear disconnect between the romanticized version of the American Dream and the current reality many Americans face today. By focusing on the founding principles, Overflow Data will begin to explore what the American Dream truly means today. As we reexamine ideals like homeownership and white picket fences, and refocus on purpose, virtue, civics, and joy, we hope to help Americans realize what the American Dream means to them.
If you have ideas for what we should explore next or believe Overflow Data can help bring your vision of the American Dream to life, reach out and join the conversation.
