Graphing the Seven Deadly Sins

Some researchers at Kansas State University created geographic displays of the Seven Deadly Sins. See the article in the Las Vegas Sun.

While termed a parlor trick, I think these are pretty brilliant.

Wrath: Compares the total number of violent crimes — murder, assault and rape — reported to the FBI per capita.
Wrath hotspots (red) and cools spots (blue):

All of Northern Virginia is "average" but the entire state of Delaware is a hotspot. Interesting!

Sloth: Compares expenditures on arts, entertainment and recreation with the rate of employment. Now, I don't agree on art expenditures as sloth, but entertainment and recreation could certainly classify.

Sloth hotspots:

All of Northern Virginia is warm or hot for sloth. Work hard, play hard? Or do we have some bad unemployment?


Pride: Aggregate of the other sins.

Pride hotspots:

Fairfax County is dark red, Stafford County is the next level down of red, and Prince William County is pink. The other Northern Virginia counties are yellow (average).


Lust: Records the number of sexually transmitted diseases — HIV, AIDS, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea — reported per capita.

Lust hotspots:

Most of Northern Virginia is yellow (average) while Stafford County is pink.

Greed: Compares average incomes with the total number of inhabitants living beneath the poverty line. I think this is especially interesting.

Greed hotspots:

Yeah, all of Northern Virginia is dark red. The haves and the have-nots.


Gluttony: Counts the number of fast food restaurants per capita. Why fast-food only? Why not all restaurants? Heck, add in the number of grocery stores too, while you're at it.

Gluttony hotspots:

Stafford County is pink; the rest of Northern Virginia is yellow.


Envy: the total number of thefts — robbery, burglary, larceny and stolen cars.

Envy hotspots:

All of Northern Virginia is yellow.