William M. Briggs

Consensus Members Agree To Agree: Breaking Story

The agreement amongst climatologists who agree that mankind will cause devastating climate change is popularly known as "The Consensus." Those who agree with the consensus are part of the consensus;…

Fun Statistics

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest: Kobayahsi Arrested! Records and Statistics

Sonna no uso da! Fuzakeruna yo! Were those the words of ex-champ Takeru Kobayahsi as he brazenly stormed the stage at the ninety-fifth annual Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest yesterday?…

Fun Statistics

World Cup Statistics and Predictions for the Final

A prediction (made on Monday, 28 June) verified: Although---and this has nothing to do with the issue at hand---Argentina's goaltender Sergio Romero stinks, and that's putting it nicely. Every shot…

Statistics

FBI Homicide Statistics: What Are You Most Likely To Be Killed With?

It's the start of a long weekend and the time for a diversion. It's the fourth of July weekend and our lesson is: if you older than 50, beware strangers…

Statistics

Siena Presidential Scholar President Rankings: Are They Biased?

The Siena Research Institute asked 238 presidential scholars to rank each president from 1 (best) to worst (43) in nineteen different categories, plus one overall ranking. A complete list of…

Culture

In Defense of World Cup Enjoyment: A Response to Dalrymple

The much loved, and surely respected, Theodore Dalrymple does not like soccer. He says of soccer fans, "Try as I might to expunge the thought from my mind that this…

Philosophy Statistics

In Defense of Dogmatism

In so far as I have a coherent philosophy of statistics, I hope it is "robust" enough to cope in principle with the whole of statistics, and sufficiently undogmatic not…

Philosophy Statistics

Tricky Probability Problem: Chance of Two Sons, One Born on Tuesday?

Thanks to reader Matt Lewis who sent me this link. Martin Gardner, may he rest in peace, gave us a delicious probability problem: Suppose that Mrs Smith has two children,…

Uncle Mike on I Don’t Want Immigrants Is All The Reason I NeedJanuary 22, 2025
Some illegals (not all) are fentanyl mule cartel mafia footsoldier murder rapist satanic blood sucking criminal meth head gangsters. That…
JH on I Don’t Want Immigrants Is All The Reason I NeedJanuary 21, 2025
People, “I don’t want immigrants” != “I don’t want illegal immigrants.” Briggs, though I think your responses are a bit…
BDavi52 on I Don’t Want Immigrants Is All The Reason I NeedJanuary 21, 2025
The 'Xenophobic Argument' is the most interesting, because it is both the easiest to make and the most inherently flawed.…
Cary Cotterman on I Don’t Want Immigrants Is All The Reason I NeedJanuary 21, 2025
The argument I usually get is "compassion". The thing is, I just don't care. Too bad, so sad. I have…
Johnno on I Don’t Want Immigrants Is All The Reason I NeedJanuary 21, 2025
BRIGGS YOU XENOFOOL! You don't want immigrants, do you???!!! Well, I don't want NEIGHBORS!!! Not in my apartment condominium, not…

William M. Briggs

I Don’t Want Immigrants Is All The Reason I Need

Class 35: The Grand Scheme: All Of Probability & Uncertainty In 30 Minutes

More On Monkeys Typing Shakespeare & Why Chance Isn’t Enough

Surgeon General Demands Label War Against Wine

Class 34: The Excesses & Errors Of Epidemiology III

England’s Rulers Insist Natives Must Assimilate To “Migrants”

Experts: Please Begin Panicking Over Bird Flu. Us: No. Experts: (Sob)

Environmental Experts To Rip Out Trees, Build Solar Electric Plant In Snow Belt To “Save The Environment”

Class 33: The Excesses & Errors Of Epidemiology II

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Happy New Year!

How Did We Do In Our 2024 Predictions?

Hot New The Science: Kids Are Having Climate Emotions

Merry Christmas!

The Lesson Scientists Never Learn

House Cramnibus Funds New Follow-The-Science Panics

Probability Puzzle Paradox: Which Boxes To Take?

As Woke Falls, What Rises?

Class 32: The Excesses & Errors Of Epidemiology I (All Should Read)

Who’s Better at Playing Doctor, Boys Or Girls?

How The Enlightenment Led To Contraception (And Other Forms of Anti-Natal Behavior)