August 2016 – William M. Briggs

Gonorrhea, Wee P-values, and Tax Increases

Adventurous reader Ted Poppke discovered a peer-reviewed paper that, according to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), proved that increasing sales tax on booze "caused a 24% decrease in gonorrhea cases…

Statistics

On The Severe (And Unrecognized) Limitations Of fMRI

So this 44-year-old Frenchman---let's call him Jacques---presented for a "mild left leg weakness". The leg bone being connected to the hip bone, etc., it was eventually discovered that Jacques's "skull…

Book review Statistics

Uncertainty Reviewed In The New Criterion

"William Briggs, the civilized world's most amusing statistician." Roger Kimball, author of The Fortunes of Permanence: Culture and Anarchy in an Age of Amnesia, The Rape of the Masters: How…

Philosophy SAMT

Summary Against Modern Thought: Our Intellects Are Not Material

See the first post in this series for an explanation and guide of our tour of Summa Contra Gentiles. All posts are under the category SAMT. Previous post. Our intellects…

Culture Statistics

Reader Query & Assist Request: Health Data In India

Busy Saturday, so a plea from reader Aman Rastogi: Sir, I am a student from Lucknow University, INDIA, pursuing my Masters in Public Health there. Few days back I have…

Culture

Islam vs. The West vs. Russia — Guest Post by Ianto Watt

I've been asked to share 'my notes' regarding my previous posts about Islam vs. The West (Part I, II, III). Especially where I've said that the only way out for…

Philosophy Statistics

Stream: Global Warming Alarmists Plead: Save the Children By Not Having Them

Today's post is at The Stream: Global Warming Alarmists Plead: Save the Children By Not Having Them. Global warming will, of course, doom us all. That is, if the models…

Statistics

Showdown At The National Academy of Sciences Corral

I've been asked by pals to promote this event, which happens today. This is a repost from this site. Steve Milloy, Dr. John Dunn & and Dr. Stan Young versus…

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…