Talk:Venn diagram

The claim VDs are used "to illustrate simple set relationships in probability, logic, statistics, linguistics and computer science." is true but misleading. They aren't used in English literature? or Biology? or Art History?? Just wrong to imply such a limited realm of applicability. It also is not the case that they exclusively "illustrate set relationships". "A Venn diagram uses simple closed curves drawn on a plane to represent sets. Very often, these curves are circles or ellipses." Do they have to be simple? Citation needed. Are there many exceptions to using ellipses? I'm sure there are some, but they're so rare in my experience that it's not worth considering. I suggest you remove the silly and awkward "on a plane". How does one draw "on a plane"? (OK, I grant that a 'plane surface' might suffice, but flat surface is way better (although specifying the surface on which the diagram is drawn is pretty silly and petty. ... Should we also specify the weight of the paper? LOL) Farther down, in the Details section the ridiculous claim is made "It is a diagram that shows all possible logical relations between a finite collection of different sets." This is easy to invalidate: picture two concentric circles, the outer labeled 'Real Numbers' and the inner labeled 'Rational Numbers'. It is more than absurd to claim that all possible (logical) relations are captured!!! Or picture two intersecting similar circles, sharing part of their area. Label one 'Men' and the other 'Women'. It is absurd to claim that the all logical relationships between those two categories is shown!! (In fact, it isn't clear what such a diagram is showing at all. Without context it's virtually meaningless.) Needs a rewrite. Preferably one that avoids bloviation and over-specification.174.130.71.156 (talk) 22:03, 9 January 2023 (UTC)

It seems easy enough to fix this with a few minor edits.

Why not just make them?

"to illustrate simple set relationships in probability, logic, statistics, linguistics and computer science." could have ", and other fields" added to it.

And "all possible logical relationships" could become "all possible logical relationships of set memberships".

DavidHobby (talk) 16:32, 10 January 2023 (UTC)

Amalia Pica § Venn diagrams (under the spotlight) (2011) asserts that Venn diagrams were banned under the 1976-83 military dictatorship in Argentina. This would be an interesting fact to include here if true: however, all the English-language references I can find refer back to Amalia Pica's 2011 artwork. There could be Spanish-language references I'm missing. Apocheir (talk) 02:21, 4 June 2024 (UTC)

Hello. I am a new editor and would like to expand the two existing sentences about Venn diagrams in internet/meme culture, which are currently sourced only to a 2010 HuffPost listicle.

I propose replacing those sentences with a short paragraph that adds two documented historical details:

1. The ''Indexed'' blog by Jessica Hagy (2006), which used Venn diagrams for humor and social commentary, and was named one of Time magazine's 25 best blogs in 2007.
2. A specific 2018 viral moment documented by The Daily Dot, in which a Venn diagram comparing preachers, DJs, and bank robbers spread across Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit.

Sources used:

* McNichol, Tom. "TIME.com's First Annual Blog Index: Indexed." ''Time'', 2007.

https://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1725323_1725329_1725409,00.html

* Kelly, Tiffany. "This popular Venn diagram started a whole new meme." ''The Daily Dot'', August 28, 2018.

https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/venn-diagram-twitter-memes/

I am making this note in the interest of transparency before editing. Happy to discuss if anyone has concerns. JazzTrumpet88 (talk) 21:59, 23 April 2026 (UTC)