simpsonsshitposting

We use averages to smooth over distortions in one area to get a better idea of what’s going on more broadly

"we" are using a different meaning of the word average I think. When I say mean, the point is to give an idea of where the "center" of the dataset is, not what the dataset is shaped like.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misuse_of_statistics

Misuse of Statistics: Using numbers in such a manner that – either by intent or through ignorance or carelessness – the conclusions are unjustified or incorrect.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyranny_of_averages

the often overlooked fact that the mean does not provide any information about the shape of the probability distribution of a data set or skewness, and that decisions or analysis based on only the mean—as opposed to median and standard deviation—may be faulty.

Are you implying the average person doesn’t understand averages?

That's an interesting thing to say. Tell me more about that.