Comments on: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics — Part 1

By: Luc I.

Luc I. — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:49:35 +0000

Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

By: Alan Coil

Alan Coil — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:47:10 +0000

I recently had a discussion/argument with a friend who said that ‘damn’ was an adjective today, and could be used like any other adjective, such as tall or yellow. I disagree, and also think it should be ‘damned’.

By: Tom Bondurant

Tom Bondurant — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:21:21 +0000

It's grammatically incorrect too, isn't it? I thought it should be "damned lies." Anyway, it's originally a quote. I blame Disraeli, or maybe Mark Twain, for any flaws.

By: Alan Coil

Alan Coil — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:37:31 +0000

Statistics are not lies. They are Mathematical calculations from input data, therefore they can’t be lies. The input can be flawed, which gives one flawed statistics, but they are still not lies.

However, they can be mis-intepreted and bent to feed the bias of the one doing the interpretation. Therefore, your title to this piece is flawed, and perhaps should be restated as

“Lies, Damn Lies, and Statisticians –Part 1.”

By: Tom Bondurant

Tom Bondurant — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:48:54 +0000

That’s the one. I also bought the miniseries (and liked it well enough), but didn’t get the ongoing.

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:20:49 +0000

This is interesting – very interesting. Was the Deadman you list as cancelled in 2002 the one that launched out of 2001 mini? I liked the mini but didn’t try the ongoing which may point to the validity of your earlier comment about jumping off points…