Posted inCulture Philosophy
Pregnant, And No Civil Rights?
Now there's nothing more wearisome than a discussion of "rights"; and having one on a Monday may be unforgivable. But I beg the reader's indulgence as last Friday's New York…
Posted inPhilosophy Statistics
On Nate Silver’s Predictions: Which Side Of The Probability Equation Are We On?
When I checked FiveThirtyEight.com's Senate prediction, it said "Republicans have a 72.3% chance of winning a majority." There were also words that the "probability that each party will win control…
Posted inCulture Statistics
Update On Gun Crime: Downward Bound. Vote Accordingly
Elections are nearing and some of our friends are worried about guns. Measures are on ballots, votes are urged; that sort of thing. Nerves are raw, tempers are flared. Now…
Posted inCulture Philosophy
Jerry Coyne Has A Go At Pope Francis. Shoots Self In Foot
Since it's Halloween, we may as well examine the spooks, hobgoblins, and bogeymen which taunt and haunt the minds of our public undead, which is to say, our intellectuals. Now…
Posted inStatistics
Class Report: How Not To Teach Statistics
It's over. Two solid weeks of 9 to 5 to 9 and beyond statistics. Plus a few cocktails and cookouts and camaraderie. I'm exhausted. The students are mostly later early…
Posted inStatistics
Democrats Received 42% More Donations Than Republicans, Even Including Koch Brothers
Open Secrets tracks donations made to political parties in the States, a difficult thing to do, particularly since Americans can give in many different ways. Press reports on money are…
Posted inPhilosophy Statistics
Nine Counter-Arguments To Frequentism
It is well to collect cogent proofs of frequentism's failings so that supporters of that theory can look upon them and find joy. Alan Hájek has done yeoman service in…
Posted inStatistics
William M. Briggs Sez: Keep That Impressive Middle Initial
You can take it from William M. Briggs, and also from the Today show: sporting a middle initial is a mark of sophistication, intelligence, and rugged manliness---or womanliness, as the…