William M. Briggs

The Truth of Things: When Probability & Statistics Cannot Be Used

I am always struggling with (my limited ability of) finding ways to describe the philosophy behind logical probability, especially to people who have a difficult time unlearning classical frequentist theory.…

Fun Statistics

Poem Code Challenge Solution

Back in September we surrendered to our geek roots and described poem codes. These are a handy method of enciphering short messages in the absence of electronic equipment. A poem…

Philosophy Statistics

Is Experimental Economics Irrational?

Everybody knows there's no such thing as money. So how come everybody acts like it's real? In particular, why do economists and other similar creatures find the lack of "rationality"…

Statistics

My Answers to Willis Eschenbach’s 14 + 2 Questions

Repost Mr Eschenbach had not had the chance to respond to this article before the two weeks wherein comments are automatically closed have elapsed. This re-post will allow him, and…

Culture

Pajamas Media: The VAT Man Cometh: It Will Happen. How Bad Is It?

Today's post is at Pajamas Media: "The VAT Man Cometh: It Will Happen. How Bad Is It?" I have a ghost of an old song---big band days---hiding in the back…

Statistics

What Can Volcanic Dust Models Tell Us About Cap & Trade?

Say Eyjafjallajokull three times fast. I wish I could say it once. I've heard it in so many different forms since it blew its stack that I can't be sure…

Culture

Harvard Classes: Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball

Yesterday, we pointed out that Cornell has some odd courses on its books, subjects which are not consonant with typical expectations of a classical education. So, in the interest of…

Culture

Cornell University to Offer Degree in News Anchor Hairdo Studies

Ezra Cornell, a generous man concerned deeply about his country and its culture, when he created his eponymous university in 1868 said, "I would found an institution where any person…

BadThinker on Mark Twain On The Dictatorship Of HealthNovember 24, 2024
And of course Health now also means "medically assisted dying" for those deemed unfit or sad or too white.
Uncle Mike on Mark Twain On The Dictatorship Of HealthNovember 23, 2024
I wish to be clear. I don't need RFKJ or anybody else telling me what I may or may not…
spaceranger on Mark Twain On The Dictatorship Of HealthNovember 23, 2024
I think it was Twain who said that if you don't maintain at least a few bad habits to get…
John Pate on Prominent Academic Asks: When And How Did Statistics Lose Its Way? November 23, 2024
You're a bit hard on old R.A. I vaguely remember reading one of his books. What killed statistics was software,…
John Pate on The Impossibilities Of Quantum ComputingNovember 23, 2024
String Theorists can make a good living with nonsense, so can Quantum Computer enthusiasts. You've just got to hand wave…

William M. Briggs

Mark Twain On The Dictatorship Of Health

The Impossibilities Of Quantum Computing

What Science Can Say About Vaccines: And What It Can’t Say

Bad Predictions Mean Bad Models, Even If You’re A Distinguished Expert

Class 29: Nothing Has A Distribution

Women Let Him Win — Guest Post by Ianto Watt

Trends In Wokeness & Girlbossery In Science

Prominent Academic Asks: When And How Did Statistics Lose Its Way?

Fixing College: Hit Them In The Money, Replace Their Prestige

Class 28: Randomization Redux (Randomization Does Nothing)

If We Are What We Sexually Desire, How About These Curious People?

What The Covid Panic Did To Science

We Win

See You On The Other Side

Class 27: Probability Is In Your Mind, Not Things

How Tim Walz Did Not Know Models Only Say What They’re Told To Say

Hell On Earth: 1978’s Zombie Apocalypse ‘Dawn Of The Dead’ Reviewed

The Decline Of Western Christianity: Gradually Then Suddenly

The Science Of Transitioning Children

Class 26: Randomization Does Nothing

Addicted To Drug — Statistics

Mark Twain On The Dictatorship Of Health

The Impossibilities Of Quantum Computing

The Truth of Things: When Probability & Statistics Cannot Be Used

Poem Code Challenge Solution

Is Experimental Economics Irrational?

My Answers to Willis Eschenbach’s 14 + 2 Questions

Pajamas Media: The VAT Man Cometh: It Will Happen. How Bad Is It?

What Can Volcanic Dust Models Tell Us About Cap & Trade?

Harvard Classes: Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball

Cornell University to Offer Degree in News Anchor Hairdo Studies

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