Life is full of opportunities to teach to and learn from others. Recognizing these lessons is key to our growth and success. Is there truth to this? Maybe…or maybe it’s our way of justifying the 30 minutes spent watching reruns of The Simpsons from its glory days.

In the episode entitled “Homer the Vigilante” America’s worst father and his followers set out on a public crusade to catch a professional thief robbing the town and its residents of their valuable (at least in a sentimental sense…economically they’re worthless) possessions. In true comedic fashion, of course, Homer’s gang turns corrupt doing more harm than good.

Witness this exchange from Smartline (a thinly-veiled parody of Nightline) between Kent Brockman (who looks and sounds curiously like Ted Koppel) and Homer:

KENT: “Mr. Simpson, how do you respond to the charges that petty vandalism such as graffiti is down 80% while heavy sack-beatings are up a shocking 900%?”

HOMER: “Aw, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. 40% of all people know that.”

KENT: (pause) “Well, touché.”

What’s this got to do with mutual funds you ask? One word: plastics. Wait, that was The Graduate. The word is statistics.

Morningstar is in love with statistics. Infatuated even. And why not? Statistics are a measure. If something can be measured it can be controlled. If something can be controlled risk can be minimized. At least this is a popular belief.

In truth measurement and control are imprecise. Exact sciences are wonderful. Two plus two always equals four, yes? Investing, however, is inexact. Statistics are but one piece of a large and ever-changing puzzle. Just how useful are they in managing investments?

For better or for worse (or more likely for the sake of providing content to a media-saturated world) Morningstar has provided us with “12 Shocking Mutual Fund Statistics.” Enjoy!