January 2013 – Page 2 – William M. Briggs

Genetic Engineering To Create New Super Moral Race: Savulescu Strikes Again

On the road, so here is a classic post from not too long ago. The appalling Julian Savulescu1 is back, this time staining the pages of the British edition of…

Philosophy Statistics

A Statistician’s Lament

Regular readers (those wanting to catch up, click here) will know that the world is far too sure of itself, especially in areas which touch on human behavior, and most…

Culture Statistics

Changing Attitudes On Suicide And Euthanasia

We had such fun with abortion attitudes, today this: From the General Social Survey, a picture of the support for suicide and euthanasia by reason from 1977 until 20061. GSS…

Statistics

Paul “Population Bomb” Ehrlich Asks, “Can a collapse of global civilization be avoided?” Yes, Paul. Yes It Can

Paul Ehrlich in 1968 predicted that a devastating human Population Bomb would immanently wreak untold havoc upon the world. He was later derided, ridiculed, blasted, razzed, heckled, savaged, tweaked, tormented,…

Culture Statistics

Support For Abortion by Reason: Mother’s Health Tops List: Attitudes Are Inconsistent

From the General Social Survey, a picture of the support for abortion by reason from 1972 until 20061. GSS questions on abortions are asked of about 1,000 (order of magnitude)…

Culture Statistics

Firearm Homicides Dropping.: There Is No Need For New Gun Restrictions.

I rarely ask this, but please link, forward, email, and favorite this post as widely as possible. See below for copying permission. This post originally ran 16 January 2013 with…

Philosophy Statistics

Precaution: Part V (Final)—Guest Post by J.C. Hanekamp

Read Part IV Trying to create an ideal world by precautionary design carries utopian overtones of a nostalgic streak, also known the pastoral ideal that is so well described by…

Statistics

Privatization Kills?: Or, Doctors Under Government Control Save More Lives?

Quick, answer this without thinking: which is better for your health, living under a communist regime or a capitalist system? If you said "communist", may I wager you're an academic?…

Gwyneth on The Paper Test Shows Why AGI Is Not Possible: And Why The Brain Is Different In KindMarch 4, 2026
I maintain that the human mystery is incredibly demeaned by scientific reductionism, with its claim in promissory materialism to account…
J W Wells on Faith Deposited: Why Godless Science FailsMarch 4, 2026
C-Marie, I'm always puzzled by expressions like 'choose to believe'. I don't think I ever choose to believe something. I…
Cary D Cotterman on Researcher Imagines Weather With No Human Influence: Concludes Climate Change Hurts IncomesMarch 3, 2026
87 octane gasoline averages $4.67 per gallon in California today. Oil refineries are being driven out of the state by…
Cary D Cotterman on Researcher Imagines Weather With No Human Influence: Concludes Climate Change Hurts IncomesMarch 3, 2026
"...accounts for how climate change has affected each county’s economy..." Seriously? He looked at the economies and climate effects of…
Uncle Mike on Researcher Imagines Weather With No Human Influence: Concludes Climate Change Hurts IncomesMarch 3, 2026
George had to cross the Delaware during the Little Ice Age. That affected the climate. So did the 18th Century…