Articles Tagged with probability

Indirect arguments

Simple is not always true

A common feature of paradoxers is a confusion between a simple argument and a correct one.

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Why a forecast discussion?

More than numbers

Weather forecasts are much more reliable than they used to be, mostly thanks to more powerful computers.  Input from people is still important, though.

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Interpreting French Oast

The complicated business of reading signs

Even simple daily tasks can involve very sophisticated thinking.

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When predictions are wrong

The role of science fiction

Today’s world doesn’t look like most science fiction stories pictured it.  But accurate prediction isn’t the main point of the genre.

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The distance to the stars

A matter of small and big numbers

parallaxHaving mentioned the difficulty of finding the distances to stars last week, our astronomer tries to put some unfamiliar numbers within your grasp.

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A plausible assumption

It’s reasonable and makes sense, but it’s wrong

mapOur astronomer describes how an assumption widely made in his science in past years turned out to be completely erroneous.

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Not dangerous enough

Probable perils of new technology

traffic2Using mobile phones, especially smartphones, while driving is dangerous.  Yet our chief consultant concludes it’s not dangerous enough!

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When science is an art

The experimentalist’s skill

sextantSome scientists have an unusual skill for extracting precise data from their instruments.  Sometimes this leads others to question their results.

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Getting your universe right

Our service providing science help for writers

lensYour novel, novella, short story or epic poem has everything:

  • Ingenious plot
  • Scintillating dialogue
  • Believable and interesting characters

Shouldn’t you also get the universe right?

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The strange case of the dimming star

A good and bad example of current science

Our astronomer begs to be allowed to explain what’s really interesting about KIC8462852.

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