Posted inFun Statistics
Poem Code Challenge Solution
Back in September we surrendered to our geek roots and described poem codes. These are a handy method of enciphering short messages in the absence of electronic equipment. A poem…
Posted inCulture Philosophy
A Most Depressing Day
I had planned on discussing the Tom Siegfried Science News "Odds Are, It's Wrong" article on how bad classical statistics is that many readers sent in. But---and I'm sorry to…
Posted inPhilosophy Statistics
All Models Are Not Wrong
George Box said, "Remember that all models are wrong; the practical question is how wrong do they have to be to not be useful." This is usually misremembered as the…
Posted inStatistics
Climate Skeptic Conspiracy Strikes!
I have never been part of a conspiracy before---there was never the opportunity---so you can imagine how excited I am about finally joining one. It's true that, in 1978, I,…
Posted inStatistics
Create Tax Refunds That Must Be Donated To Political Parties?
In the State of the Union address, President Obama thought it would be pleasant to slam the Supreme Court, shaming them for their recent Citizens United v. FEC decision. Our…
Posted inCulture
State of the Union Snippets: Live Blog (update continuously)
Started by intimating: It's bad now, but when it was bad before, it got good. "Answer history's call." "These struggles are why I ran for President." Thought: It's tough to…
Posted inStatistics
Random Samples In Polls Not Needed; Other Common Poll Errors
Pajamas Media---my new pals--conducted, or rather commissioned, their own poll in the Scott Brown-Martha Coakley race. It found, after calling more, but reporting on 946 "likely" voters, Brown ahead by…
Posted inStatistics
Health Care Ping Pong Party
From The Hill: House and Senate leaders have formally agreed to bypass a bicameral conference committee to merge two healthcare bills, and have opted to instead "ping-pong" the Senate bill…