Statistics – Page 201 – William M. Briggs

Statistics Talk: Chances Are You’re Doing It Wrong

The problem with statistics is the astonishing amount of magical thinking tolerated. A statistician---or his apprentice; this means you---waving a formula over a dataset is little different than an alchemist…

Philosophy Statistics

What Scientific Idea Is Ready For Retirement? Hypothesis Tests

Edge asked a whopping number of named persons which ideas are ready to be expunged from the thing that is Science. Somehow my invitation got lost in the aether, an…

Culture Philosophy Statistics

Malthus’ Proof That Welfare Leads To Increasing Need For Welfare

First person that giggles at my hand drawings gets a mean look. My computing facilities are somewhat lacking... This of course is only a cartoon, but a helpful one of…

Statistics

About That Lefties-Drink-More-Than-Conservatives Study

"Honey? Did you meet our new neighbors?" "Not yet. Why?" "I'm a little worried about them. They have an 'I heart NPR' sticker on their Prius." "Oh, God. Pass me…

Statistics

Coming Out Christian: Guest Post by Hut Evenest

Readers should understand bestiality is allowed in many countries. Hut Evenest is a writer from Finland, a country in which the practice is legal. Their preferred term is zoophilia. The…

Culture Philosophy Statistics

Voting (And Wisdom Of The Crowds)

First read Wisdom of the Crowds (and Voting). There are in this great land of ours some 315 million souls. Citizens, I mean. Another 12 millions (or so) are, as…

Culture Philosophy Statistics

Wisdom Of The Crowds (And Voting)

Have you heard of Mesd-su-Re? One of the participants of the Great Harem Conspiracy under Ramses III? Probably not. But I need to know the length of his nose right…

Statistics

Statistically Speaking: Why You Are Too Sure

How happy are you? On a scale between one and ten, of course. Nobody could be eleven-happy. Listen: I can't measure your happiness unless I put a number to it.…

Brian (bulaoren) on Old Lodge Skins’ Prayer Of ThanksgivingNovember 27, 2025
One thing I am always grateful for (well, 4 days a week) is being able to enjoy your posts. Thank…
Uncle Mike on Old Lodge Skins’ Prayer Of ThanksgivingNovember 27, 2025
Gratitude (n.) mid-15c., "good will," from Latin gratus "thankful, pleasing, agreeable" related to Latin gratis "favor, mercy, virtue" (source of…
Tracy Platt on The Apples In A Sack Paradox: Solve It Or You Get No Pie TomorrowNovember 26, 2025
I think Rudolf comes closest except for this being a garbage problem. My guess is we will see similar arguments…
John Pate on The Apples In A Sack Paradox: Solve It Or You Get No Pie TomorrowNovember 26, 2025
Mr Harrier is on the right lines: see previous blog where I was berating sundry for worrying about using probability…
John Pate on Antichrist, by Saint Robert BellarmineNovember 26, 2025
Everyone needs to go and read PK Dick's "V.A.L.I.S." which he said was true but fictiionalised account of what's going…