November 2013 – Page 4 – William M. Briggs

Women With Large Posteriors Live Longer? Or Is Medical Reporting Nonsense?

When reader Bruce Foutch sent me the article "Ghanaian women with big buttocks will live longer---Research", I first thought, "Here's a story a Bayesian can really sink his teeth into"…

Culture

The Supraterranean War On Sanity: Scientists Versus Civilians

Cast your mind back to 1980. Nobody, not a soul, knew that gaspers, coffin nails, and cancer sticks were bad for you.1 Tobacco companies used an advanced form of mind…

Culture

Snot-nosed Brown University Brats Throw Temper Tantrum

When is the last time you saw a bratty kid throw a temper tantrum? If you were a professor at an American university, probably right after midterms. But if you…

Statistics

Robert Heinlein And The Distinction Between Scientist vs Academician

Christos Argyropoulos â€(@ChristosArgyrop) asked me to comment on his post of the same title at the blog Statistical Reflections of a Medical Doctor. Heinlein: One can judge from experiment, or…

Lucy Tucker on How Women’s Equality In Democracies Changes Voting (And Everything Else)February 5, 2026
I’m ready to give up the right to vote.
spetzer86 on Impossible LSAT Statistics QuestionFebruary 5, 2026
Could this scenario validate (A) and (D)? (A): When living in a country with a strong, pervasive religious belief, particularly…
spaceranger on Impossible LSAT Statistics QuestionFebruary 4, 2026
I usually go with "b." or "Asia" on those multiple choice ones.
Cary D Cotterman on Polar Bears Are Doing Fine: Activists, Not So WellFebruary 4, 2026
Polar bears have existed for at least half a million years, and possibly as long as a million. They have…
Brian (bulaoren) on Polar Bears Are Doing Fine: Activists, Not So WellFebruary 4, 2026
Dr. Briggs I was afraid I'd hijacked your subject today with my, rather dark, "Walter Lantz" cartoon. Returning to your…