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Yesterday, I came across a concept that I had never considered before (or even heard of before). In fact, it's a concept that took me by surprise. Basically, it's an application of a concept to a problem that I never considered applying the concept to before--probably with very good reason.…
There are two contradictory headlines today on Google News, both regarding someone I couldn't care less about. However, they nicely illustrate one of my key concerns about the internet: the pervasive illusion that the "wisdom of crowds" is in fact wisdom, or in fact fact.
Both stories involve the…
A bunch of people I follow on social media were buzzing about this blog post yesterday, taking Jonah Lerher to task for "getting spun" in researching and writing this column in the Wall Street Journal about this paper on the "wisdom of crowds" effect. The effect in question is a staple of pop…
Throughout the unfolding financial meltdown, I keep finding myself thinking that there might be one small, positive effect to come out of this: namely, a much-needed dose of realism and humility for market advocates. Because, really, after reading this Steven Teles post:
All through the financial…
This is great. I wish this or something like it would appear everday on the front page of every news magazine and newspaper as well as at the beginning of every newscast. On Fox it should probably be at the end of every commercial break and before resuming programming.
Right on the money. But my poll(sample size 1; margin of error: +/- 1) says 87% of the population who need this information won't understand it.
Perhaps its time to consider whether elementary statistics should be a requirement for high school graduation, on the theory that those without it are not equipped to become functioning citizens in the information age.
Of course every new practice has side effects. If the majority of the electorate had a grasp of basic stats, any number of politicians would be chased out their respective capitals on the wrong end or a cattle prod. And certain institutions-- FOX News, for instance-- would cease to exist entirely.
Your title, "If only everyone took basic statistics", is what I've been thinking pretty much constantly for the last 2 years. I'd get it tattooed on my forehead if I thought it'd make any difference...