This is where bad science leads
I would like to finish writing an article I am working on titled, “How Groupon could save the economy,” but apparently there are some misunderstandings I need to clear up first regarding my previous article, This is where bad science starts. I take full responsibility for the misunderstandings as to the intent and the conclusions of the previous article. Perhaps this will clear them up.
This is where bad science starts
This was originally published at my personal “No One’s Listening” blog, but I have decided to re-open my Optimiskeptic blog, and use this as the inauguration post. Unfortunately, I do not know how to transfer the original comments over, but you can find them here. They are helpful in clarifying and correcting some things I wrote in the blog. There is a much better comment system integrated into this blog, so I hope that helps a little.
I recently read this Gizmodo article that questioned whether or not the results of a 13-year-old kid, Aidan’s, science experiment was properly debunked. Aidan’s science experiment is noteworthy for three reasons: (1) He claimed to have increased the efficiency of solar cell power generation by simply arranging them in a Fibonacci (Golden Ration) pattern copied from the leafing pattern of plants found in nature, (2) his findings, published as an essay, received a “Young Naturalist Award” from the American Museum of Natural History (and a provisional patent, no less), and (3) this was reported on and praised as “genius” and a “breakthrough” by several noteworthy magazines such as Poplar Science, Slashdot, and The Atlantic Wire.
So here’s the problem. Aidan did not actually discover a more efficient way to convert solar energy into power as he claimed and these numerous publications reported. … Continue Reading
When bad people happen to good things
This is a response to an OpEd published in the Chicago Flame written by Salwa Shameem titled Islam and the West: Take two.
People do bad things because human beings are flawed. The justification and reasoning for their behavior comes from whatever is handy. Sometimes the excuse for bad behavior comes from the (mis)interpretation of a religious edict as Salwa has pointed out here. No matter the religion, human beings seem to be masterful at stretching any idea to ridiculous extremes in order to justify their behavior.
The high price of free speech
I often hear people say “I have the right to free speech; I can say whatever I want,” as an excuse for making offensive remarks or expressing controversial opinions. Shackled to this idea of “free speech” is the notion that whatever we say should be consequence free because we have the right to have and express our own opinions.
My experience has taught me that this attitude can unfortunately lead to many unintended consequences. For each right we exercise, also comes responsibility. For example, while I can say whatever I want, if I lie or abuse someone verbally I cannot claim “free speech” as a defense against the inevitable consequences.
The end of racism?
Recently, many people have been discussing the possibility of the “beginning of the end of racism.” Often this conversation is lumped with a discussion about the origins of racism. The most common explanation I hear is of innocent children being indoctrinated by closed minded adults to think certain minorities are inferior for one reason or another.
“Yes we did!” …what exactly?
I’ve noticed that many of President Elect Obama’s supporters are going around saying, “Yes we did!” To that I have a simple response: No, no you didn’t!
Now, I’m not saying that you didn’t get Barack Obama elected. I’m not saying you didn’t overcome odds and break through racial barriers. I’m not saying you didn’t put the McCain-Palin campaign exactly where it belonged: In the loser’s circle. No, I’m certainly not saying that something great hasn’t been accomplished.
Man vs. stats: How well did I predict the election?
I did glance at a few polls, but more importantly I read editorials in dozens of local newspapers of the battleground states, and put that all together with my own intuitions on voter behavior, election history, and sense of risk (I’ll admit, some of my calls were quite simply gambles – I’ll explain in depth down more).In the end, the four states that cannot be called right now + the one I really called wrong (North Dakota) were the exactsame five states I predicted would be tossups. I knew these were the risky bets: North Dakota especially, lol. That was more of a pot shot hoping-for-a-miracle-to-make-me-look-smart-bet.
So, in other words: I called it!
My final 2008 election predictions (Nevada decides)
It is one week from that fateful morning where we will all know who the next President will be (baring a repeat of the 2000 election). Here are my final predictions about the Presidential Election.
I still reserve the right to adjust my predictions as new information comes available, but that will probably only find its way into the “tossup” and “surprises” sections. This total electoral count for each candidate is my final prediction.
“you’re _____ and I’m _____”
I recently read a note written by a friend of mine who was thanking someone for understanding him – even though his friend was white and he was Asian. On the surface this sounded pretty harmless as I’m sure it was intended to be. But it made me think of something a little more sinister – something implied by that statement that runs much deeper and, while based in some truth, turns out to be more of a self-fulfilling prophesy than anything else.