William M. Briggs

Planet Earth Al Gore Explains ‘Snowmageddon’: Fox News Story

I was quoted by Gene Koprowski in his Fox News story "Planet Earth Al Gore Explains 'Snowmageddon'". (This accounted for the several hundred Google and other search engine redirects to…

Culture

New York City Democrats Remove Yet Another Right: No Smoking In Parks

The party that ever has "Rights!" on its lips, the party with the mania about diversity, the party that is most anxious that religious fundamentalists will take over and impose…

Statistics

Are Tree Rings Low Pass Temperature Filters?

I don't know the answer to this question: I am not an expert in this area, and I haven't the time or resources to track down the data to discover…

Culture Statistics

Will The Religious Out-Breed Us All?

Thanks to long-time reader and contributer Ari Schwartz for bringing this to our attention. "It is widely agreed that religion has biological foundations---that belief in the supernatural, obedience to authority…

Statistics

The Similarities Between Psychics And Global Warming Activists

The statistical evidence series will continue after the weekend. "I see the letter G." The woman closed her eyes, cocked her head, and looked inwardly. She became grave, tense. "There's...wait…

Philosophy Statistics

Model Selection and the Difficulty of Falsifying Probability Models: Part III

To clarify: to prove false means to demonstrate a valid argument with a certain conclusion. If a theory/model says an event is merely unlikely---make it as unlikely as you like,…

Philosophy Statistics

Model Selection and the Difficulty of Falsifying Probability Models: Part II

I hope all understand that we are not just discussing statistics and probability models: what is true here is true for all theories/models (mathematics, physics, chemistry, climate, etc.). Read Part…

Philosophy Statistics

Model Selection and the Difficulty of Falsifying Probability Models: Part I

These next posts are in the way of being notes to myself. Logic is the study of the relation between statements. For example, if "All green men are irascible, and…

NLR on Sabine Hossenfelder’s Free Will Folly & The Deadly Sin Of ReificationJune 26, 2025
One can make an argument that the models of physics exist in the minds of physicists and the fact that…
Shack Toms on What Are The Chances Thomas Jefferson & John Adams Died On The Fourth of July, 1826?June 26, 2025
What is the probability that today is July 4, 2025? Somehow, I think this is a matter of my perspective.…
The True Nolan on Sabine Hossenfelder’s Free Will Folly & The Deadly Sin Of ReificationJune 26, 2025
"Those equations are her model of the world, and to her the model is the world. That is the Deadly…
Uncle Mike on Class 56: The Best Model!June 26, 2025
"The best model is no model! Display your data instead." Yes. Absolutely. However, easier said than done. There are lots…
fergus on Sabine Hossenfelder’s Free Will Folly & The Deadly Sin Of ReificationJune 26, 2025
So much confusion with so many strawmen thrown in that video and this discussion. First, it is a nice thing…

William M. Briggs

Class 56: The Best Model!

Sabine Hossenfelder’s Free Will Folly & The Deadly Sin Of Reification

England’s Mandatory Suicide & Women

On The Probability Of God

Class 55: Models Vs Reality

AI & Chess Both Produce Pre-Coded Output

The Hubris Of Experts: NIH Edition

The Mathematics Of Conspiracy Theories. Part 1: Black Eye Club Example

Class 54: Exchangeability & Parameters

Over-Certainty Of Polygenic Scores

AI & The Dilemma Of Technology

What Are The Chances Thomas Jefferson & John Adams Died On The Fourth of July, 1826?

Class 53: Laplace Was Right!

Even The Woke Say Science Is Petering Out

Expert Nathan Confas: Experts Know Best

Science Claims 7% Of Adults Saw A Mass Shooting

Class 52: The Origin Of Parameters

IQ Is Not Intelligence

What Are The Chances…George Wendt Dies On Same Day Cheers Ended 32 Years Before?

Class 51: Bayes Is Only A Formula

Blacks Have Black Fatigue: Who Is At Fault?

Class 56: The Best Model!

Sabine Hossenfelder’s Free Will Folly & The Deadly Sin Of Reification

Planet Earth Al Gore Explains ‘Snowmageddon’: Fox News Story

New York City Democrats Remove Yet Another Right: No Smoking In Parks

Are Tree Rings Low Pass Temperature Filters?

Will The Religious Out-Breed Us All?

The Similarities Between Psychics And Global Warming Activists

Model Selection and the Difficulty of Falsifying Probability Models: Part III

Model Selection and the Difficulty of Falsifying Probability Models: Part II

Model Selection and the Difficulty of Falsifying Probability Models: Part I

There Is No Culture Without Inequality: Stove 1

Impose Your Beliefs Before They Impose Theirs

Telekinesis: Ideas In Our Reenchantment & Rectification

The Physics Of Blessings: Ideas In Our Reenchantment & Rectification