Briggs

Pajamas Media: Intellectuals by Thomas Sowell

Today's post is at Pajamas Media: Intellectuals by Thomas Sowell is reviewed. David Hume said, "A rule, which, in speculation, may seem the most advantageous to society, may yet be…

Culture

Intelligent Design is Mostly Harmlessness: Reply to Eugenie Scott

Eugenie C. Scott Executive Director National Center for Science Education Dear Ms Scott, Thank you for your recent letter informing me of the efforts of your fine organization to discourage…

Culture

Tree Hugger Squeezes Too Hard and Other Stories

It's been a busy week; I've been shifting around a bit. I expect to be back on track by Monday. Meanwhile, here are some interesting links. Green Party councillor dies…

Statistics

How Republican Is The Country?

This picture tells the story: The percent of seats of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Presidency are plotted, starting in the year of the relevant election. I…

Fun

Questions of Kagan, the WHO, and Your Right to Eat Pizza

Kagan Court The blogs are abuzz with ridiculous discussions of Ms Kagan's sexuality. For example, Andrew Sullivan is his normal self. Even conservatives are taking great pains to say that…

Statistics

Anti-Tobacco Lobbying Is Bad For You

There is a smoking story making the rounds here in New York. Seems the New York State Legislature has cut funding thirty-percent to its anti-smoking program. These cuts were over…

Philosophy Statistics

Are Men Smarter Than Women?

The Question No. That is to say, Yes. But not really. Actually, what we have here is an badly phrased question: just what do we mean when we ask "Are…

Culture

Sex, Race, Uncertainty, Climate, and More! Saturday Links.

A Saturday collection of fun and interesting stories sent in by readers. Larger Breasts Pay Off for Waitresses Reader Katie sent in this breaking news: a professor from Cornell's Hotel…

Cary Cotterman on Lady Academics Tire Of Being Judged By Peer ReviewSeptember 21, 2026
Every time I think I've read about an academic paper at the very bottom of the abyss of idiocy, another…
Tars Tarkas on Lady Academics Tire Of Being Judged By Peer ReviewSeptember 21, 2026
"articulating that the checkboxes presume a reviewer who is an objective, disembodied expert untouched by power. " They aren't wrong…
Tars Tarkas on Lady Academics Tire Of Being Judged By Peer ReviewSeptember 21, 2026
Among the many flaws of peer review is the weaponization of peer-review for political purposes. Some academic offends the ladies,…
Neil Jordan on Class 94: Quantifying The UnquantifiableSeptember 17, 2026
At last, an opportunity to join you in the "Quagmire of Marginal Statistics." This and later quote are from memory…
McChuck on The MRS Degree — Guest Post by Johnathan EdwardsSeptember 17, 2026
"South Korea and Japan will no longer exist, perhaps in our lifetime, if they don’t start reproducing or bringing more…