August 2009 – Page 2 – William M. Briggs

Fads and Fallacies in the Social Sciences by Steven Goldberg: Part II

Part I We now discuss the first two of Goldberg's main claims. Both of them are contentious, are bitterly contested, and passion inducing. Try to keep a cool head; certainly…

Book review Culture

Fads and Fallacies in the Social Sciences by Steven Goldberg: Part I

Fads and Fallacies in the Social Sciences by Steven Goldberg Recommendation: Buy one copy for yourself, another for mother. If Sally is over six feet tall and Bill is over…

Statistics

DANCES WITHOUT FEATHERS: III of III

Part I Part II PDF DANCES WITHOUT FEATHERS: I of III Part III of III The climb was steep at times, but I managed to haul my carcass to the…

Statistics

DANCES WITHOUT FEATHERS: II of III

Part I Part III PDF DANCES WITHOUT FEATHERS: Part II of III Now before you accuse me of anything, I like ballet. Not to watch it, that's as dull as…

Statistics

DANCES WITHOUT FEATHERS: I of III

In celebration of my having work, I present something that requires no thinking (on my part). Part II Part III PDF DANCES WITHOUT FEATHERS Part I of III Kick...two,…

Statistics

At ASA/ISM Joint Statistical Meetings

Link. Watch this space for stories. (Updates to comments on other posts will be slow.) Update: Tuesday night. This story, sent in by Jim D., is a must read. Statistical…

Culture

The Sad Decline in Music: Benny Goodman vs. House Music

Part I: Cole Porter vs. The Beatles Part II: Billy Strayhorn vs. Drake I apologize for the slowness in the appearance of this third battle, but I have just been…

Philosophy Statistics

Models, theories, consistency, and truth

Ready? Put on your best straight face, recall that global temperatures have not increased for a decade, and that it's actually been getting cooler, then repeat with Brenda Ekwurzel, of…

Cary D Cotterman on Why There Are (Probably) No UFOs: “Climate Change”May 20, 2026
There are clear photographs of just about any phenomenon imaginable, regardless of how fast, distant, small, or ephemeral it may…
Steve on Why There Are (Probably) No UFOs: “Climate Change”May 20, 2026
Briggs, you fool! You should know by now that extraterrestrials have image blurring technology. And before you ask, yes, they…
McChuck on Why There Are (Probably) No UFOs: “Climate Change”May 20, 2026
"Tomorrow Tomorrow never comes What kind of a fool Do they take me for? Tomorrow A resting place for bums…
Philip Rogan on Why There Are (Probably) No UFOs: “Climate Change”May 20, 2026
All I can say after reading the linked article is that I'm glad I'm not a professional academic philosopher.
Brian (bulaoren) on Why There Are (Probably) No UFOs: “Climate Change”May 20, 2026
If a space-alien ever confronts me, and says "Take me to your leader", I will direct him (they?) to you.