Madness Monday - Statistics (And The People That Believe Them)

Hello and welcome to Madness Monday; the day of the week where I talk about statistics, and why they're more useful to politicians than scientists.

Starting to think I need to find more interesting header images... Just maybe.

Do you have 1 breast and 1 testicle? If yes, then statistically, you're a very average person. Do you think you're normal? If you are, then statistically, you're the farthest thing from it. If you have ever thought that statistics were just a little screwy, then you will probably find this interesting.

Have you ever thought you were normal? If you did, the most average thing about that thought is the fact that so many people think it. Strangely enough, the more you think about it, the more you actually realize just how incorrect statistics are, and why they're more useful to politicians than scientists.

Let's talk about that. Michael Stevens from the popular YouTube Channel Vsauce, pointed out in his video Some Surprising Things that statistics are often not what they seem. As I pointed out at the beginning of this post, the average person would have 1 breast and 1 testicle. Since that is, as I'm sure you can understand, rather somewhat unusual, it provides credence to the idea that statistics can as easily used for unintended purposes.

A Statistical Fallacy is when logic and reason is incorrectly used with a set of statistics, as was the case with the aforementioned 1 breast, 1 testicle case. This can happen accidentally, or be intentional in order to convince. The fact that entire Wikipedia page devoted to the "Misuse of Statistics" is reason enough to believe that people like to have and abuse statistics for one simple reason: People believe them.

Think about this. At the beginning of this article, I told you a couple of things while using the word "statistically". While the statistics are those which were used in the aforementioned "Some Surprising Things" video, the desired effect was more psychological than informative. Most people, perhaps including you, will have taken what I said there at face value; and accepted that simply, because it's "Statistically" correct, then I'm right and you need not question those statements. 

Humans are, intrinsically, social creatures that seek acceptance. (Even hipsters like to be with other hipsters.) So when I say something was proven statistically, your immediate reaction is likely to be that of acceptance, simply because that would allow you to better relate to everyone else that supported the idea. (Isn't that absolutely maddening? You believe someone's lies because of the way they use their words. A politicians dream.) 

The result, is that statistics can have a few problems. They can be gathered incorrectly, they can be reasoned incorrectly, and they can be applied incorrectly. Any of which can be accidental or intentional. It's within the realm of reason for a study into the connection between cancer and tobacco use by a Cigar Company to be skewed in their favor; as is a referendum asking about a change in legislature, run by the party that supports said change. 

Effectively, few statistics, quoted or presented, can be deemed entirely trustworthy, for the simple fact that someone stood to benefit from the actual taking of the survey. You're more likely to support something with statistics in it's favor, so companies will often fund the studies of their own products to prey on this subconscious trend.

So, if you happen to like statistics, I might suggest taking a closer look at who made those statistics and why. Otherwise, you might believe someone when they tell you that "statistically", this is the best blog in the world. (Much as I wish that were true. Maybe one day.)

In any case, I hope that you have found something interesting or entertaining to think about here. If you have something to add that I forgot to mention, (That happens occasionally.), make sure to let me know in the comments below. Also, make sure to share this with any friends who think that statistics are always right. And of course, if you would like to read more interesting discussions like these, or simply want to read my writing, don't forget to tell me by liking my Facebook page or following me on Twitter and sending me a message. The necessary buttons to do so are on the sidebar to the right. Lastly, I thank you very much for taking the time to read this post, and hope that you have/had an absolutely FANTASTIC day; and I will see you on the morrow.

Farewell dear chaps.

Storytime Sunday - Kings (Drinking And Losing)

Hello and welcome to Storytime Sunday; the day of the week where I tell you why drinking games are terrible if you don't have good luck, and then thank my lucky stars I don't suffer from hangovers.

This card is not your friend if you don't have good luck.

Birthday celebrations are awesome, awesome friends are awesome, losing drinking games, not so awesome depending on what you're playing. We played Kings this weekend, which was pretty funny until I lost. Thankfully, I've got good friends.

It's days like these that make me glad that I don't suffer from the joys of hangovers, having spent the weekend at my friend Jerome's place as part of a late birthday celebration for the old man. (Better known as Mister Canoe on this blog. Teehee)

Considering the majority of the blog readers are of legal age, you can probably relate to the idea of playing drinking games in celebration of someone getting older. (If you aren't, I'm going to preface this by saying that I by no means condone underage drinking, and you should not do it.) Not that drinking is a fantastic idea even when you can do so legally; I'm usually only really happy to do it with good friends and/or people I trust. In any case, that's not the story. The story is why I'm glad I have good friends.

If you don't know what kings is, here's a link to a website that describes the games rules. It's essentially just a list of actions that you need to follow when you choose specific cards from around a mug. Strange things of course, else why would it be fun? Some of the more notable ones being; the King obviously, in which the person must pour their drink into the mug if they get one, unless it is the last king, in which case they have to drink what is in the mug; or the Jack in which the person gets to make a new rule that everyone must follow. If they don't follow it, they drink. This gets quite ridiculous around people such as myself and my friends though, since we ended up having to say "nostrovia" (Russian for cheers) every time you drink, drink only with our left hands, pick up cards with your left hand only and say a specific phrase after every sentence that I'm not going to tell you because it's terrible. We also somehow started speaking in Russian accents, likely as a result of saying nostrovia so many times. There's also number 7 "thumbs", where you can place your thumb on the table at any time, and everyone else needs to do the same. The last to do so, of course, drinks!

I should mention that for some reason, we didn't think to get any light alcohol's for said game, and were drinking a variety of mixtures of anything that tasted good. Which, strangely enough, involves Vin Coco with Appletizer, some Brandy or other, Cane Spirits with Ginger Beer, and Sidekick coffee liqueurs. Which was all fine and good... until I lost the game. (*facedesk*) Alcohol is pretty bad yes, mixing alcohol is worse. Drinking a lot of mixed alcohol quickly, very bad idea. Thankfully, my dear giant of a friend Mister Canoe saw how worried I was at having to drink said concentrated mixture of alcohols, and decided to split the punishment of defeat with me. (I don't drink all that often, so I was fairly guaranteed a bad time with it.)

In the end though, I think the experience was still altogether worth it, and I'm happy to have spent the time with an awesome friend. Happy 19th you old softy. We shall have to do it again some time.

In any case, that's enough about my livers sufferings, from here on, were back on track to begin doing some of the more interesting blog posts I have planned for this month. If you're keen to find out what they are, make sure to like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter using the associated buttons on the right so that you can read them, when they come out. Also; don't forget to let me know in the comments if you think I should (or shouldn't) talk about my exploits with my friends more, and make sure to share this with anyone who likes stories about drinking games, losing, and good drink mixes. I don't know how many of you know someone like that though. (Teehee) Regardless of what you do, I thank you for taking the time to read this, and as always, hope you have/had an absolutely FANTASTIC day.

Proshchay moi druz'ya.