2008 – Page 29 – William M. Briggs

An unfortunate loss of a good joke: leftist thinking finally overtakes math parody

There was an old, and sadly funny joke about the Evolution of Math Quizzes that went like this: 1960s A logger cuts and sells a truckload of lumber for $100.…

Statistics

Don Imus sidekick makes a point with a failed joke

Just heard Don Imus, who was attempting to explain why he wasn't being sarcastic when he said "At least [George Bush] did something right" because we have not been attacked…

Statistics

A safe, but misleading, prediction about global warming

Reuters's, on 3 January, had this headline, "2008 to be in top 10 warmest years say forecasters." A quote: 2008 will be slightly cooler than recent years globally but will…

Statistics

Asinine comparison of holocaust deniers and honest scientists

Some guy named Joel Connelly at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer has written another one of those "We must do something now" global warming articles. What makes his piece distinct is that…

Philosophy

Mr. Word’s definition of the day: to change

"To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance." --…

Statistics

How much does winning Iowa and New Hampshire help?

On the earlier poll thread, a reader asked "What's your opinion about the statistical summary of past results of Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries?" pointing out data from Neatorama.com.…

Fun

Mr. Word’s definition of the day: to gush

"To make a sentimental or untimely exhibition of affection; to display enthusiasm in a silly, demonstrative manner." -- Webster, 1913. For example, this snippet from today's New York Times editorial.…

Statistics

73.2% of Likely Voters Believe Poll Results

Pollster: Who will you vote for? Civilian: Oh, I don't know; that guy, the tall one. Pollster: I'll put you down for Obama. The elections in Iowa are over and…

John Pate on Whoring For Climate ChangeSeptember 24, 2026
Until we get back to burning heretics at the stake I don't see any solution to this kind of behaviour.
John Pate on Lady Academics Tire Of Being Judged By Peer ReviewSeptember 24, 2026
Private companies still run enormous R&D labs but they're funded by black budget "defence" appropriations doing the Devil's work. They…
Cary Cotterman on Whoring For Climate ChangeSeptember 24, 2026
Brosch and his ilk don't know squat about "scientific facts". They deal in pseudoscientific nonsense.
McChuck on Whoring For Climate ChangeSeptember 24, 2026
I refuse, on general principles, to use the Left's Newspeak. She is a whore, or prostitute if we're being polite.…
Tars Tarkas on Whoring For Climate ChangeSeptember 23, 2026
"And who better to help relay the urgency of climate change than sex workers? “ I hate the widespread use…