It's because the graphs are visual metaphors that encode privileged information[0]. Which is an often overlooked aspect of teaching imo. Your own initial dismis

It's because the graphs are visual metaphors that encode privileged information[0]. Which is an often overlooked aspect of teaching imo. Your own initial dismissive reaction kind of shows why: people don't really get the point until they realize it works, and even then they're not sure why. [0] https://web.archive.org/web/20140402025221/http://m.nautil.us/issue/6/secret-codes/teaching-me-softly https://web.archive.org/web/20140402025221/http://m.nautil.u...