Statistics – Page 289 – William M. Briggs

St Petersburg Paradox; Games and Statistical Decisions; RIP David Blackwell

David Blackwell, who died two weeks ago, was one of the first mainstream statisticians to "go Bayesian." And for that and his unique skill in clearly explaining difficult ideas, we…

Statistics

How to Fool Yourself—And Others—With Statistics

See the news box to the left. I wrote this long ago and never used it. I do not love it. But since I am so busy, I haven't the…

Statistics

US Military Fatality Statistics: Have Suicides Increased?

All statistics were gathered from this DOD site. 2010 numbers were current as of 5 June this year; they were not part of the plots below. In 1983, the year…

Fun Statistics

World Cup Predictions Verified

All that was missing was the water for the players to plunge into. Still, referee Howard Webb must be a fan of the aquatic and artistic sport of diving, and…

Fun Statistics

The Predictive Skills of Octopii: Paul’s World Cup Prognostications

In Detroit, for that glorious game of soccer-on-ice-with-sticks, we---I still say "we"; you can never separate yourself from your birthplace---know what to do with octopuses, octopii as were: We toss…

Philosophy Statistics

Symmetry, Priors, Logical Probability, Infinities, and Needless Paradoxes

One reason why some reject the notions of logical probability and Bayesian statistics is because it is said that assignments of probability under symmetry generate paradoxes. However, as I will…

Statistics

Lady Wins Fourth Lottery: What Are the Odds?

I'm in the wild blue yonder today; so here is a distraction. Thanks to reader Jade for suggesting the topic. Nobody can scratch better than Las Vegas resident Joan Ginther,…

Statistics

Consensus Members Agree To Agree: Breaking Story

The agreement amongst climatologists who agree that mankind will cause devastating climate change is popularly known as "The Consensus." Those who agree with the consensus are part of the consensus;…

Uncle Mike on On Laws Banning Hacking Women’s Genitals & Imposing BeliefsJanuary 7, 2026
Dear C-Marie, No. H.R. 3492 is specifically about child mutilations and related atrocities. Abortion is a different issue, as are…
JerryM on Register Your Predictions For 2026!January 6, 2026
1. Trump's health take turn for worse and he must resign and JD takes over. 2. Ukraine SMO finally ends…
Keith on Register Your Predictions For 2026!January 6, 2026
1. Trump does not finish the year as president, likely through resignation but possibly because of health reasons. 2. Kansas…
C-Marie on On Laws Banning Hacking Women’s Genitals & Imposing BeliefsJanuary 6, 2026
Thank you, Uncle Mike! Does H.R. 3492, protect the children still in the womb, and those just born, from being…
Cary D Cotterman on Register Your Predictions For 2026!January 6, 2026
The Year of Tough Talk but Little or No Action will end, and 2026 will see the prosecution and imprisonment…