William M. Briggs

What Does “Sustainability” Really Mean?

I had originally titled today's article as "The Theology of Sustainability", which has a certain ring to it. But I admit the title chosen by the Crisis editors probably results…

Statistics

Hypothesis Testing Relies On The Fallacy Of False Dichotomy

Classical hypothesis testing is founded on the fallacy of the false dichotomy. The false dichotomy says of two hypotheses that if one hypothesis is false, the other must be true.…

Philosophy SAMT

Summary Against Modern Thought: More On God’s Omniscience

See the first post in this series for an explanation and guide of our tour of Summa Contra Gentiles. All posts are under the category SAMT. Previous post. The reading…

Culture

Arguing About Climate Is Largely Pointless

Regular readers will already know that arguing with climate-of-doom True Believers is pointless. Don't bother. A for instance. When my piece appeared at Crisis on the Pontifical Academy for Science's…

Culture

British Elections Open Thread. The Return of Nationalism?

We haven't discussed much the elections of our English-speaking cousins, but it's worth doing because of how this one played out. Particularly in its nationalistic aspects. Ed Miliband, Labour, a…

Culture Philosophy

The Purposeful Lowering Of Physical Standards: More Consequences Of Egalitarianism

Remember how we were told that when women joined the military there was no danger of lowering standards to accommodate them? Letting them join was a question of "fairness", which…

Culture Philosophy

Kids Raised By Parents Creates Unfair Advantages, Inequality: A Consequence Of Egalitarianism

The deadliest, most destructive, and dumbest philosophical idea of all time is egalitarianism. It says not that all things are equal, but that they should be. A good case can…

Statistics

Will Climate Change Kill One-Sixth Of All Species?

Today's headline was prompted by Mark Urban's peer-reviewed paper in Science "Accelerating extinction risk from climate change", which assures us that if we don't "do something", this is the end…

spaceranger on Impossible LSAT Statistics QuestionFebruary 4, 2026
I usually go with "b." or "Asia" on those multiple choice ones.
Cary D Cotterman on Polar Bears Are Doing Fine: Activists, Not So WellFebruary 4, 2026
Polar bears have existed for at least half a million years, and possibly as long as a million. They have…
Brian (bulaoren) on Polar Bears Are Doing Fine: Activists, Not So WellFebruary 4, 2026
Dr. Briggs I was afraid I'd hijacked your subject today with my, rather dark, "Walter Lantz" cartoon. Returning to your…
Brian (bulaoren) on Polar Bears Are Doing Fine: Activists, Not So WellFebruary 4, 2026
While we're on the subject of "Ursus Maritimus"; In 1987, a group of amusement denied boys decided to make an…
hudbwu on Impossible LSAT Statistics QuestionFebruary 3, 2026
> But that’s because the setup is itself weird. It contains the implicit premise that more beliefs equals better survival,…

William M. Briggs

Polar Bears Are Doing Fine: Activists, Not So Well

Impossible LSAT Statistics Question

How Women’s Equality In Democracies Changes Voting (And Everything Else)

Class 77: Trendy Trends In Time Series

Who Still Listens To AM Radio?

Scientists Invent New Name For Models: Digital Twins

What Science Says About Making Medication Mandatory

What A Winter

FDA Goes Bayes: It Should Have Gone Probability

Class 76: That’s Not Noise. That’s Signal!

AI: The Earth Is Spinning Faster & Slower (Because “Climate Change”)

Confirmation Bias In The Minneapolis Shooting

Sports Betting Is An Excellent Way To Lose Money

Class 75: A Gentle Introduction To Time Series

The Consent Fallacy

On Laws Banning Hacking Women’s Genitals & Imposing Beliefs

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Happy New Year!

How Did We Do In Our 2025 Predictions?

Why The Drake Equation Fails

Canada Invents New Euphemism For Doctor Killings