David McCandless makes infographics, simple, elegant ways to see information that are usually too big and complex, or small and abstract to be otherwise grasped. He's the author of 'Information is Beautiful' and in this, the first part of his amazing talk, he spans the world of visualized data, from hard stats on politics and climate to trends in drug use. His designed information helps us understand the world and cuts through the BS to reveal the hidden connections, patterns and stories underneath. Or, failing that, it just looks really cool!