Department of Data

Which states get too much attention? Which ones are truly forgotten?

Parts of these United States have an honest claim to being forgotten, while others dominate the national conversation. But how to measure that?

8 min
Water flows down from the mountains into Lahaina, a town in Hawaii, which has one of the most-visited Wikipedia sites among the 50 states. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)
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If Captain Ahab commanded a team of data analysts instead of a whaling crew, we’re pretty sure history’s most vengeful Quaker would be out there chasing a true measure of which U.S. states get too much attention.

Because here at the Department of Data, that’s our white whale.

It feels like the secret key to so much of the nation’s politics and culture. Parts of these United States must have an honest claim to being forgotten, while others dominate the national conversation and unduly influence what we think America means.

But how do we measure that? It’s not a rhetorical question! Even as we take our best shot, we would love for you to send in your suggestions.

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