Statistics – Page 235 – William M. Briggs

Regression To The Mean (And Performance Curses) Simply Explained

I've just read about The Second Term Curse which supposedly besets (of course) second-term presidents. There is also the infamous Sports Illustrated Curse, which is said to befall athletes soon…

Statistics

Sam Harris Asks, “Can Science Answer Moral Questions?” No, Sam, It Cannot

I was having a back-and-forth on Twitter with Craig Mazin â€(@clmazin) about Sam Harris's claim that morality is a scientific and not a metaphysical question. As evidence, Mazin pointed me…

Culture Statistics

The Horrors And Hurt Feelings Of Profiling

"Ver are your papers!" "Um. Hang on. I'm sure I have them on me. Wait. Here," said the man, handing them over. The clerk examined them closely. He arched his…

Philosophy Statistics

Life Isn’t Fair: Part III

We are at the position where somebody thinks a rule, law, or stricture, or the lack of the same, is fair or unfair. The justification for this belief must (eventually)…

Statistics

Supreme Court And Proposition 8: A Few Thoughts

One of the more curious tidbits to arise out of yesterday's oral arguments (pdf) over California's Prop 8 was that that state's constitution has been amended some 500 times. Those…

Culture Statistics

The Regnerus Controversy: Children In Traditional Families Do Better Than Those Raised In Non-Traditional Settings

Originally published 24 July 2012. No changes have been made, though I'm sorely tempted to comment on the weeds descending from Regnerus's chin. Doubtless the nastiest phenomenon in nature is…

Statistics

A New Row Over Pregnancy Caused by Rape

Today's post is at Crisis Magazine. Why are the following questions political? How often do raped women become pregnant because of the rape? How often do (non-raped) women become pregnant…

Statistics

Homeopathic Blog Post

Jim Fedako on Reader Poll: Shorter or Longer, Frequent or Rarer Posts?June 4, 2026
Whatever schedule keeps you posting is fine by me. As far as email notifications, I don’t always get them so…
Uncle Mike on Reader Poll: Shorter or Longer, Frequent or Rarer Posts?June 4, 2026
Yes. Quite an amazing oeuvre. Nothing like it elsewhere. KUTGW.
Blaine Wieland on Reader Poll: Shorter or Longer, Frequent or Rarer Posts?June 4, 2026
Dr.Briggs, I'm a long-time subscriber. (Years and years.) What I have always liked is that you write because you have…
Tars Tarkas on Reader Poll: Shorter or Longer, Frequent or Rarer Posts?June 4, 2026
How about a monthly or bi-weekly podcast? The Z-Man had this and it rounded out his written articles. Many of…
Brian (bulaoren) on Reader Poll: Shorter or Longer, Frequent or Rarer Posts?June 4, 2026
Dear Dr. Briggs For some years now, I have enjoyed reading your posts while I wash down my morning vitamins…