Statistics as taught in it's current form (just like economics) came about in the 50's, they were both designed by out of work mathematicians. Now to an unemployed Math PHD in the 50's with the start of the space program and the massive military research programs, how good were these guys? When I took Stat in college I was amazed. Take one set of data and produce two diametrically opposed answers and have them both correct? Sounds like rumor, gossip, and BS to me, not science.
No wonder there are lies, damn lies, and statistics!