William M. Briggs

Genetic Engineering To Create New Super Moral Race: Savulescu Strikes Again

On the road, so here is a classic post from not too long ago. The appalling Julian Savulescu1 is back, this time staining the pages of the British edition of…

Philosophy Statistics

A Statistician’s Lament

Regular readers (those wanting to catch up, click here) will know that the world is far too sure of itself, especially in areas which touch on human behavior, and most…

Culture Statistics

Changing Attitudes On Suicide And Euthanasia

We had such fun with abortion attitudes, today this: From the General Social Survey, a picture of the support for suicide and euthanasia by reason from 1977 until 20061. GSS…

Statistics

Paul “Population Bomb” Ehrlich Asks, “Can a collapse of global civilization be avoided?” Yes, Paul. Yes It Can

Paul Ehrlich in 1968 predicted that a devastating human Population Bomb would immanently wreak untold havoc upon the world. He was later derided, ridiculed, blasted, razzed, heckled, savaged, tweaked, tormented,…

Culture Statistics

Support For Abortion by Reason: Mother’s Health Tops List: Attitudes Are Inconsistent

From the General Social Survey, a picture of the support for abortion by reason from 1972 until 20061. GSS questions on abortions are asked of about 1,000 (order of magnitude)…

Culture Statistics

Firearm Homicides Dropping.: There Is No Need For New Gun Restrictions.

I rarely ask this, but please link, forward, email, and favorite this post as widely as possible. See below for copying permission. This post originally ran 16 January 2013 with…

Philosophy Statistics

Precaution: Part V (Final)—Guest Post by J.C. Hanekamp

Read Part IV Trying to create an ideal world by precautionary design carries utopian overtones of a nostalgic streak, also known the pastoral ideal that is so well described by…

Statistics

Privatization Kills?: Or, Doctors Under Government Control Save More Lives?

Quick, answer this without thinking: which is better for your health, living under a communist regime or a capitalist system? If you said "communist", may I wager you're an academic?…

Joe Jach on Blessed Memorial Day; No Class; See You WednesdayJune 2, 2026
Mr Briggs, a belated and happy Memorial day! May our Gracious Lord guide you in all wisdom in your writings,…
Cary Cotterman on How High an IQ Must A Person Have To Be Executed?June 1, 2026
Fry 'em all, let God sort 'em out.
Brian (bulaoren) on How High an IQ Must A Person Have To Be Executed?June 1, 2026
So, "Epsilon Minus" murderers would face the executioner? Maybe you really can fix stupid...
Willis Eschenbach on How High an IQ Must A Person Have To Be Executed?June 1, 2026
Thanks, Matt. I've been saying this (although far from as eloquently) for a while. If a person is so mentally…
Robert Arvanitis on How High an IQ Must A Person Have To Be Executed?June 1, 2026
The only question is capacity to recognize guilt. If the perpetrator was allowed to vote in national elections, the perpetrator…

William M. Briggs

How High an IQ Must A Person Have To Be Executed?

Class 90: Simple (Optimal) Decisions

Shocking Abortion Numbers: Death Distributions Show We’re Living Longer

Blessed Memorial Day; No Class; See You Wednesday

Why There Are (Probably) No UFOs: “Climate Change”

Creating Microbial Monsters To Terrorize Ourselves

Class 89: The Measure Most Modelers Forget: Skill Examples

The Shocking Conclusion of the HR Trilemma!

The HR Trilemma: Which Door Decides Your Fate?

Capital Punishment Deters Crime More Than The Death Penalty

How Experts Use “Calamities” to Find Official Victims & Gain Power

Richard Dawkins, The Big Muscles Fallacy & AI Pachinko

Class 88: The Most Neglected Concept: Skill

The Red-Blue Button Dilemma & Its Surprising Answer

UFO Reports About To Blast Off!

Class 87: Calibration & Conformal Prediction: Examples

Noticing Differences Between Races Does Not Pay

What Are The Chances Of All These Scientists Dying, Killed, Or Going Missing?

Class 86: Calibration & Conformal Prediction: Theory

How A Miracle Turns Mundane

Contest Winner Announced!

How High an IQ Must A Person Have To Be Executed?

Class 90: Simple (Optimal) Decisions

Genetic Engineering To Create New Super Moral Race: Savulescu Strikes Again

A Statistician’s Lament

Changing Attitudes On Suicide And Euthanasia

Paul “Population Bomb” Ehrlich Asks, “Can a collapse of global civilization be avoided?” Yes, Paul. Yes It Can

Support For Abortion by Reason: Mother’s Health Tops List: Attitudes Are Inconsistent

Firearm Homicides Dropping.: There Is No Need For New Gun Restrictions.

Precaution: Part V (Final)—Guest Post by J.C. Hanekamp

Privatization Kills?: Or, Doctors Under Government Control Save More Lives?

There Is No Culture Without Inequality: Stove 1

Impose Your Beliefs Before They Impose Theirs

Telekinesis: Ideas In Our Reenchantment & Rectification

The Physics Of Blessings: Ideas In Our Reenchantment & Rectification