Posted inFun Statistics
On Dowsing—Guest Post by Ray Kidd
I dug a one-meter square test pit outside an 18th century ruined cottage. A "dowser" invited to test his powers stood beside the pit dangling a bob on a string.…
Posted inStatistics
Science Can Tell If You’re A Racist Just By Looking At You
George Carlin used to advise those who wanted to avoid jury duty to tell the judge, "Don't worry about me, your honor. I can tell guilty people---<snap!>---just like that!" We…
Posted inStatistics
The Second & Third Most Depressing Graphs: The Encroachment Of Government
Update This stays top for today because we're still waiting for some regulars to chime in and because I'm busy. Here is federal government spending as a fraction of the…
Posted inCulture Statistics
The Most Depressing Graph: Per Capita Federal Spending Rises Alarmingly: Update
There is no more saddening picture of the progress of government than this one (the second & third most depressing graphs are here): This is the amount of money the…
Posted inFun Statistics
Best Movie Oscar Prediction Via Statistical Modeling: Update, The Model Wins
Update I humbly accept your congratulations. Argo will win Oscar for Best Picture, according to our non-patented, statistically significant almost-mathematical computer model. The key reasons for its victory will be:…
Posted inFun Statistics
Science Proves Farting On Airplanes, Exposing Buttocks To Sun Healthy
According to the latest in medical science, I sat next or near to an exceptionally healthy individual on my last flight. My keen olfactory senses alerted me that a fellow…
Posted inFun
Global warming causes prostitution!
Update Moved up to allow comments. Originally posted November 2009. The Beaujolais nouveau (just got in my case for this year) shot out my nose when I saw this, the…
Posted inBook review Philosophy
Against Autonomy: Justifying Coercive Paternalism
Note: I do not own the book discussed below. I refuse to pay for it (it's $95!). If any well-off reader has a copy he would like to donate, then…