29. juli 2003

Statistics for everyone A lot of newsitems are based on statistics, and journalists often have a very rudimentary knowledge about it. Moreover, the numbers themselves are not sufficient to draw conclusions based on data. This statistics guide from the BBC should be essential reading for journalists everywhere, also those in the BBC. Common sense can cloud statistical results. For instance, a technology firm discovered that 40% of all sick days were taken on a Friday or a Monday. They immediately clamped down on sick leave before they realised their mistake. Well, I read that one in Dilbert first. 10:04:45 PM    comment []

lawblog chill Lawyers who have blogged their musings on legal cases are starting to worry that their words may come back to haunt them later, if their opponents in future cases read them. 3:55:10 AM    comment []

Ties damage eyesight A study in New York measured fluid pressure in the eyeballs of men before and after they attached a tie, and found a "significant" rise. Increased pressure has previously been linked to the glaucoma, the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the world.. It is worth noting that the legendary hacker jargon file a long time ago identified the problems with ties, under the subject suit: Ugly and uncomfortable ‘business clothing’ often worn by non-hackers. Invariably worn with a ‘tie’, a strangulation device that partially cuts off the blood supply to the brain. It is thought that this explains much about the behavior of suit-wearers. The study indicates that corporate suits behave as they do not only because of reduced blood supply to the brain, but because they are getting blind as well. I foresee a new defence strategy from Enron auditors. 2:04:32 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2003 Jan Haugland. Last update: 01.08.2003; 03:03:48.