Happy Fun-with-Evidence Friday. I'm the first to admit that talking about "evidence-based ___" isn't the best way to attract a crowd. Making evidence interesting - and, with any luck, fun - isn't easy. Here's how some folks are doing it successfully.
Recreational probability. The site Book of Odds presents the statistical odds of all sorts of things: Having twins between the ages of 40-44, being unemployed, throwing a no-hitter. They make it relevant by answering the question "What are the odds of me?" And they have fun features such as The Odds Couple (see comparison below - odds of being unemployed in the U.S. in 2008 vs. 2009).
The Book of Odds uses what could be mind-numbing probability and statistics to give people something useful to think about. And they do a fantastic job of presenting the evidence. The site is well-designed, using graphics and layouts that rival top-tier commercial sites.This is a web property I wish I'd thought of myself.
Recreational mathematics. The amazing Martin Gardner is being recognized for turning 95 years old, and for releasing his second book *this year*. He presents difficult concepts in entertaining ways and encourages people to look critically at evidence.
John Tierney of the New York Times quoted Ronald Graham (UC San Diego) as saying: “Martin has turned thousands of children into mathematicians, and thousands of mathematicians into children.” I can't think of a higher compliment for anybody.
Gardner was an early debunker of pseudoscience. His Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science is considered a classic in scientific skepticism. Wikipedia says "Martin Gardner more or less single-handedly renewed and nurtured interest in recreational mathematics in North America for a large part of the 20th century. He is best known for his decades-long efforts in popular mathematics and science journalism, particularly through his 'Mathematical Games' column in Scientific American.... [which] ran from 1956 to 1981 and introduced many subjects to a wider audience, including flexagons, polyominoes, M.C. Escher, and fractals."
Besides his magazine columns, Gardner has authored more than 70 books. I believe my favorite title is Are Universes Thicker Than Blackberries?: Discourses on Godel, Magic Hexagrams, Little Red Riding Hood, and Other Mathematical and Pseudoscientific Topics. It doesn't hurt that he's a good writer who isn't afraid to say what's on his mind. Gardner's latest book is When You Were a Tadpole and I Was a Fish: And Other Speculations About This and That.
Comments