Comments on: Random Thoughts (Scary Ones) http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/random-thoughts-scary-ones/ Facts, Thoughts, and Commentary Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:43:34 +0000 hourly 1 By: David A. Spitzley http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/random-thoughts-scary-ones/#comment-176383 David A. Spitzley Tue, 22 May 2012 16:33:19 +0000 http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/?p=5184#comment-176383 I’m assuming that this is a further evolution of the thinking that resulted in Congress attacking the use of random sampling in the Census process, due to the fact that it tended to increase the numbers of minorities, as well as boost population counts in Democratic-leaning states. They’ve basically gone from “random sampling is being used in ways which undermine the GOP politically” to “random sampling is not scientifically valid”, and don’t realize why that’s incorrect.

]]> By: Marcus Sabathil http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/random-thoughts-scary-ones/#comment-176379 Marcus Sabathil Tue, 22 May 2012 16:29:36 +0000 http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/?p=5184#comment-176379 In Canada, our current “conservative” Government has been slashing and burning our world famous Stascan. Their latest budget puts HALF of Stascan jobs at risk. Stephen Harper also recently killed the long form census for ideological reasons. My guess is that the truth is inconvenient. Private, corporate info is much simpler to control. Take drug studies, for instance. If the data does not support your desired conclusions, don’t publish.

]]> By: urban legend http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/random-thoughts-scary-ones/#comment-175923 urban legend Tue, 22 May 2012 03:13:00 +0000 http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/?p=5184#comment-175923 How do you hand this clown his deserved humiliation? How about sponsoring a state referendum that would make him change his name so he can no longer disgrace a famous name in American history?

]]> By: Rima Regas http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/random-thoughts-scary-ones/#comment-175742 Rima Regas Mon, 21 May 2012 21:06:59 +0000 http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/?p=5184#comment-175742 Jared, this HuffPo piece explains this phenomenon. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/21/members-of-congress-speak_n_1532666.html If the November elections produce another stalemate or, G-d forbid, the GOP wins, we can look forward to a lot more of this kind of talk. We need to redo our education system. Now.

]]> By: D. C. Sessions http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/random-thoughts-scary-ones/#comment-175726 D. C. Sessions Mon, 21 May 2012 20:26:01 +0000 http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/?p=5184#comment-175726 Reminds me of a Pennsylvania Senator a while ago who wanted to restrict Weather Service data access to protect the profits of the commercial weather services.

In this case, there’s lots of money to be made by private polling organizations who could charge Target and others good money for the same data that Uncle Sam gives away.

]]> By: Misaki http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/random-thoughts-scary-ones/#comment-175685 Misaki Mon, 21 May 2012 18:42:59 +0000 http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/?p=5184#comment-175685 Relevant:
http://woweuarchive.yg.com/thread.html?topicId=1151565148&sid=1
http://wowarchive.yg.com/thread.html?topicId=2215432134&sid=1

Poll Results For: “.999~ = 1 ?”

Yes and I’ll explain at great pain to everyone else why 7191 votes
48.25%
No and I’ll explain at great pain to everyone else why 5582 votes
37.46%
Huh!? 2130 votes
14.29%

Total Votes: 14903

.999~ = 1 1785 votes
51.62%
.999~ 1 1174 votes
33.95%
??? 499 votes
14.43%

Total Votes: 3458

When I was in high school, my math teacher insisted that .999~ was not equal to 1. The next day he corrected himself, after having asked on an online math forum about it. (He also taught statistics, coincidentally)

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