Posted inStatistics
VI Arnold On Models
Thanks to reader Victor Domin for pointing us to the paper "On teaching mathematics" by V.I. Arnold. Here's an extended quote on models (do read the whole thing). At this…
Posted inStatistics
Weight Of Evidence
Some have the idea that there should be a "weight of evidence" that is separate from probability, or in addition to it. Probability judgments are held more or less strongly,…
Posted inStatistics
Notes On AI Accuracy (Facial Recognition)
Here's a tweet (addressed to Judea Pearl), "If you could get rid of all the spurious non causal correlations in a machine-learning model, you would be left with only the…
Posted inCulture Statistics
Nature Advocates Using Children To Propagandize Parents
Nature magazine has published the article "Ignorant children should be used to propagandize their more knowledgeable parents." I might have got the title wrong (click link for actual), but it's…
Posted inClass Statistics
Using P-Values To Diagnose “Trends” Is Invalid
Look at the picture, which is real data, but disguised to obscure its source. It is a physical measurement taken monthly by a recognized authority. The measurements are thought to…
Posted inCulture Philosophy Statistics
The Limitations And Usefulness Of IQ
That Smarts Everybody knows that some people are smarter than others, and that some are teachable and some not. Well, some people do deny these facts, believing that if everybody…
Posted inStatistics
Stop Using P-values & Parameter-Centric Methods
P-values should be banned. Every use of them involves a fallacy or mistake in thinking. "P-values have some good uses." No, they don't. I used every as in every. "P-values…
Posted inCulture Statistics
Researchers Claim Biological Test For Sex Doesn’t Exist
Advocacy and activist organizations goose statistics in their favor. The National Organization For Red-Haired Pickpockets is bound to arrive at a figure higher, and perhaps much higher, especially if donations…