We've done regression a hundred times, but it isn't sticking. That means my explanations are failing. Let me try again. Everybody knows normal distributions, i.e. bell-shaped curves: in shorthand N(m,s),…
"Should prospective parents seek information about gene variants that increase the risk their children will develop diseases as adults? Should physicians provide that information?" So asks Ronald Bailey, only just…
Many (thanks!) readers sent links to Tyler Vigen's Spurious Correlations, whose motto is "Discover a new correlation - an interesting spurious correlation each day!" My favorite is tying the yearly…
Jan H. Blits is a professor in the University Honors Program at the University of Delaware, is the winner of the 2011 Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Academic Freedom Award. May a…
See the first post in this series for an explanation and guide. Chapter Two (1) Now of all human pursuits, that of wisdom is the most perfect, the most sublime,…
Here is the word-for-word opening in the Vox "explanatory journalism" tidbit "John Oliver shows how to debate climate deniers": That climate change is occurring, and that humans are the primary…
This week, three letters from concerned readers. Bobby's Bad Behavior Dear Scientific Ethicist, Our eight-year old child has been acting out, speaking out of turn, making shapes of weapons with…