The quote about the statistician who drowned while attempting to cross a river with an average depth of four feet illustrates the dangers of relying solely on averages without considering variability and context. This anecdote highlights how statistics can be misleading if they do not account for the complexities of real-life situations. Average measurements may not reflect the true conditions that individuals encounter, leading to potentially fatal misunderstandings.

Neil Postman's "Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology" serves as a reminder that technology and data can sometimes overshadow critical thinking and personal experience. Postman emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations of statistical information and encourages readers to remain vigilant and thoughtful rather than blindly trusting numbers. This approach advocates for a more nuanced view of information in our technology-driven society.