GalacticCactus Forum
« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Maybe I don't understand statistics  (Read 1126 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Annie Subjunctive

  • Hausfrau
  • Übermember
  • *****
  • Posts: 10,921
    • View Profile
Maybe I don't understand statistics
« on: August 26, 2008, 01:48:23 PM »
I just ran across this article on how Usain Bolt messed up the curve for how fast humans are supposed to run.

Is this really something that statistics is involved in? I realize that they can predict trends, but how is one individual human being constrained at all by mathematical patterns? Someone could be born freakishly strong tomorrow who could run the 100 m in 6 seconds... couldn't they? Isn't that the nature of genetic mutations?
Logged
"It is true, however, that the opposite of Little Rock, Arkansas is Boulder, Colorado." - Tante

Offline The Genuine

  • Ambcloacador of Right On
  • Super Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3,570
    • View Profile
Maybe I don't understand statistics
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2008, 02:23:59 PM »
Pardon my asking, but what does this have to do with English & linguistics?
Logged
I think Jesse's right.

 -- Jonathon

Offline Porter

  • ruining funny with facts
  • Übermember
  • *****
  • Posts: 22,333
  • long time lurker, first time poster
    • View Profile
Maybe I don't understand statistics
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2008, 02:29:13 PM »
Weird -- I just came from reading that article.

It's pretty pointless, IMO, as is almost everything that includes (or implies) "If present trends continue....".

Present trends never continue.
Logged
Tomorrow Poster
Sooner or later, this forum is going to max out on hyperliteralness.
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »