In Science magazine, Ben Campbell and I have a review of Nate Silver’s book, The Signal and the Noise. Briefly…it was good for people who don’t know any math or science, and was best when he recounted his own exploits in poker. But there were some flaws, for instance on the use of statistics in science. [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Uncategorized'
In search of the nerd/poet gene
December 26th, 2012, 11:00pm by Sam Wang
Today, I ask for your help with my laboratory research. It will only take a few minutes. The concept of a “physics gene” or “poetry gene” might not be a joke. Intellectual predispositions are likely to be driven in part by genes – including those that drive autism, mood disorders, and substance abuse. My students and [...]
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Happy holidays!
December 24th, 2012, 12:00pm by Sam Wang
At the start of the year this community was small. Four million views later…thank you. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege. For the new breed of quants: For the old-school: Travel safely. Watch out for enormous poodles.
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Bright and early
October 7th, 2012, 8:00am by Sam Wang
And now for something rather different: neuroscience and child development. My co-author Sandra Aamodt and I write in today’s New York Post about infancy and early-childhood programs. New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and schools chancellor Dennis Walcott have announced significant expansions of these programs for fall 2013. Such programs pay for themselves at least seven [...]
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Guest expert: Ed Freeland on wireless phone sampling
September 17th, 2012, 9:00am by Sam Wang
I am joined today by guest Ed Freeland, director of the Princeton Survey Research Center. Ed offers a survey expert’s view of wireless phone sampling, and how problems are addressed. Later today he will pop by to answer questions in the comment thread. Ed, welcome! -Sam Wang
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The undecided voter’s secret ballot
September 14th, 2012, 1:00pm by Sam Wang
As I wrote yesterday, persuadable and undecided voters in 2012 seem quite scarce. What is actually going on in their brains? In 2008 my colleague Josh Gold and I wrote for the NYT on this subject. I also write about hidden biases in how we make decisions (in all aspects of life) in Welcome To Your Brain [...]
Tags: 2012 Election · President · Uncategorized
Once in a very blue moon
August 31st, 2012, 1:00pm by Sam Wang
For the blue moon, which happens every 2.5-3 years — less often than national elections.
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Weaknesses of InTrade – and opportunities
July 11th, 2012, 9:29am by Sam Wang
Failures of InTrade to accurately estimate probabilities are frequent. The reasons are obvious, but perhaps unappreciated by market-worshippers. Some of those reasons lead to inefficiencies…which could be exploited.
Tags: 2012 Election · Uncategorized
A belated happy 4th of July
July 5th, 2012, 9:58am by Sam Wang
Greetings, and thank you to all those who serve our nation: teachers, doctors, mailmen and mailwomen, scientists, construction workers, policemen, soldiers… This is a good occasion to (re)read General McChrystal’s inspiring essay on national service. Happy 4th!
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The Supreme Court’s rightward turn
June 28th, 2012, 6:31am by Sam Wang
Today at 10:00am the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) rules on the Affordable Care Act. Opinion by Chief Justice Roberts, maybe with Associate Justice Kennedy. Look for a 5-4 decision to overturn part/all, or a 6-3 decision to uphold (with CJ switching to maintain control). Update: upheld, 5-4. I misunderstood the advance word. Roberts wrote for the [...]
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