William M. Briggs

There Is No Such Thing As Unconditional Probability: Update

I am awarding a Briggs Internet Prize---the coveted BIP---for anybody who can demonstrate even one instance of a probability which is unconditional on any evidence whatsoever. The prize will not…

Culture Philosophy

California Students To Choose Genders, Bathrooms: Update

A leading academic theory is that "gender" is a construct, where by "gender" the academic means sexual behavior and by "construct" she means something we make up, a decision. If…

Philosophy

On The Probability God Exists

In order not to make the reader sick with jealously, I will not tell him that I sit on the porch on a bright summer morning mere steps away from…

Philosophy

Something From Nothing: Or, A Heavenly Fish Sandwich

So I was sitting on the porch by the lake reading a piece by Trent Horn on the first premise of the kalam cosmological argument for the existence of God,…

Fun

From Claude Shannon To Demonic Mosquitoes To Bluegill

Here's some information for you: this is a statue of Claude Shannon, tucked in-between two unfrequented buildings in tiny Gaylord, Michigan (most buildings are unfrequented here). Shannon's the guy who…

Fun

Good Gnus—PG Wodehouse Hunting Poem

A northern Michigan summer! Time to venture forth out onto the waters and kill something to eat. I'm thinking pike. Wodehouse had gnus in mind. When cares attack and life…

Fun

Happy 50th Bill & Marilyn!

We made rather merry at the party yesterday. So much so that there might not be any fresh posts for days.

Fun Statistics

Two New Dice Games: Animosity & Disdain

Summer and time for doing plenty of nothing. Like playing a rousing game of 10,000, sometimes called Farkle, Dix Mille, or "Didn't we just play that yesterday?" There are many…

Hun on On Laws Banning Hacking Women’s Genitals & Imposing BeliefsJanuary 9, 2026
What about male genital mutilation? It's common practice in the US for some reason. Actually, the reason is obvious and…
Don B on Register Your Predictions For 2026!January 9, 2026
1. THIS will be the year the long-awaited, often predicted bear will hit the U.S. stock market, precipitating similar bears…
John Pate on Class 75: A Gentle Introduction To Time SeriesJanuary 8, 2026
The amusing thing is one of the facilitators of China's rise is its falling fertility, giving it the breathing space…
Neil Taylor on Register Your Predictions For 2026!January 8, 2026
1. A protester will open fire and kill multiple ICE agents. 2. Kier Starmer will loose his job as leader…
Uncle Mike on Class 75: A Gentle Introduction To Time SeriesJanuary 8, 2026
Well then Tars, if depopulating China is your goal, they should definitely end restrictions on births. Because the fewer the…

William M. Briggs

Class 75: A Gentle Introduction To Time Series

The Consent Fallacy

On Laws Banning Hacking Women’s Genitals & Imposing Beliefs

Register Your Predictions For 2026!

Happy New Year!

How Did We Do In Our 2025 Predictions?

Why The Drake Equation Fails

Canada Invents New Euphemism For Doctor Killings

Merry Christmas!

Complete List Of All Moral & Ethical Questions Answered By Science

Why British & EU Rulers Are Juicing War With Russia

Climate Models

Is Powerball A “Fair Game”?

No Class: But Here’s Some Homework

On The Form Of Species: ‘Dance To The Tune Of Life’ by Denis Noble Reviewed

How To Tell How Much Of “IQ” Is Inherited & How Much Is Environment

Class 74: Contra Effect Sizes

Academic Argues For Permissibility of Cannibalism, You Racist

I Finally Read James Lindsay’s Manifesto (Yes, He Has A Manifesto)

The Biggest Mistake In Science Applied To Universe As Simulation

Class 73: How To Tell If You Have Bad Dice