Briggs

Politico’s Biased Reporting Of Its Own Poll

Today's post is over at Legal Insurrection. The headline, helpfully supplied by William Jacobson, is "Politico poll showing 'plurality support' for gay marriage also shows majority opposition." Headline writing is…

Fun

Reader Poll: Mayan Apocalypse, For or Against?

In just over a week, on 21 December, it will be the glorious End of Times or it will be just over a week from today. Which is to be…

Culture Statistics

What Can We Learn From A Crude Model Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases?

It's Statistical Modeling Day, so let's look at one dealing with sexually transmitted diseases. Why this subject? Well, according to New York's CBS 2, "Study Shows Soaring STD Rates In…

Fun Philosophy

Transhumanists Gather In San Francisco

My first thought when I read the title of today's post (from Bioedge) was that it was some kind of warning. Look out! It's the transhumanists! And then I figured…

Culture Fun

The Superpower I’d Most Like To Have

This is written in earnest; my desire is sincere. And not uncommon: I mean, the longing for a superpower and the announcing of same are not rare. No less than…

Fun Philosophy

Sam Harris & William Lane Craig Duke It Out

The debate question was: Are the foundations of moral values natural or supernatural? Winner? By acclamation Harris, but then the deck was stacked against Lane because the event was held…

Philosophy Statistics

What Does The Regression Equation Mean? Causality? Something Else?

Saw this tweet this fine morning: https://twitter.com/MarkThoma/status/276542962622668800 and downloaded the paper at the landing site, co-authored by Judea Pearl, he of Causality fame (a recommended book). Pearl and a co-author…

Philosophy

Two Oregon Academics Attempt Logic Lesson, Fail Miserably

Bertrand Russell said: "People are zealous for a cause when they are not quite positive that it is true." I think this false and even scurrilous. The zealous are nothing…

John M on Pre-Order Everything You Believe Is Wrong (2nd edition)November 11, 2026
Yes, Happy Veterans Day from Petty Officer First Class John. I look forward to the book! I enjoyed the first.
Bill Hankel on Pre-Order Everything You Believe Is Wrong (2nd edition)November 11, 2026
An impressive list that I shall look forward to reading when my wife (or son) buys it for me for…
Brian (bulaoren) on Pre-Order Everything You Believe Is Wrong (2nd edition)November 11, 2026
Yes, time to stock up on necessities.
Cary Cotterman on Science Is Becoming FeelingsNovember 9, 2026
I'm still laughing about "Debolina".
shawn marshall on Science Is Becoming FeelingsNovember 9, 2026
it ain't really off topic : wymyn's suffrage is destroying the USA,