Interesting Visualization on the Credit Crisis, Except...

Ran across this little video story that explains the credit crisis using pretty good visuals to accompany. I certainly (think I) understand it better having watched it; however, there was one bit that really burned me up:

Why, you ask? Because of the underlying idiotic cultural assumptions made with this visualization. You have to remember--even though things like this flash by in a few seconds, the creator of this thing put significant thought and effort into "what would a high-risk homeowner look like?" This is, by the way, compared to the previously shown normal/low-risk homeowners. The differences?

• The man is fat. Clearly anyone who is fat is higher risk, no? We're talking about higher risk of default, folks. Last time I checked, "are you fat?" is not on any applications for mortgages. ... Yet. Yes, I am fat, and I take offense. I have excellent credit and what I think would count for a pretty high moral code... The creator of this visualization is buying into cultural stereotypes here that fat people are lower on the social totem pole. Bite me. There's a lot to bite...
• They're smoking. Again, this is in the same vein. I don't smoke, not because I'm better than those that do but because I just never got hooked on it. I consider myself fortunate (not proud) in that respect. But does smoking make you more likely to default on a loan? No... Again, the creator of this piece is showing his cultural prejudice.
• What really caught my eye (and ears) and made my blood temperature rise, though, was that this family has four children while the less risky family has only one child (and a dog, of course). Not only that, the four children are crying while the one is happily swinging between Mother and Father's arms. Clearly, not only are the parents with only one child less risky but they must be better parents, too!

This is just ignorant, moronic, unthinking, social bigotry at its finest. The folks profiled by this visualization are what America runs on--salt of the earth types who aren't consumed with self image, who value family enough to have larger ones, and generally are some of the most dependable and hardworking people you'll meet. The government actually provides incentives to have children because, despite the mushyheadedness of some like Pelosi, supporting couples to bear and raise children is about the most time-proven policy in history--it's good for society. Building strong, large families is a cornerstone of society, not a sub-prime risk.

Some other, better options more in line with reality and what lenders actually care about:

• Someone just coming out of jail? I mean, I seem to recall they do ask if you've been convicted of a felony on mortgage apps.
• Someone standing in a line at the unemployment office? Surely not having a job would be considered high risk for a loan.
• Or how about the same one-child family in chic designer clothes, with unnecessary H2 and Lexus SUVs, buying a McMansion they don't need in the "nice" part of town? I think folks drowning in debt, no matter how affluent they seem on the outside, would be high risk.

It wouldn't be hard to dream up some good, realistic visualizations like this rather than let your prejudices be your guide. Just take a look at a few of the mortgage applications to see what they ask about or even do a little research to determine factors that affect credit scores in general.

This fellow Jarvis might be a good motion and information designer, but he clearly needs to get his head on straight when it comes to social issues.