The Coles Science Center at Bobst Library Presents the Coles Science Salon Series
What They Don't Teach You in Statistics Courses
by Kaiser Fung, MBA
When Nobel winner Daniel Kahneman was not busy creating the foundations of behavioral economics, he determined that statistical thinking is an unnatural activity; even experts sometimes fail at it. Yet, from stock charts to test scores, from theme parks to traffic jams, from credit cards to medical tests, statistics influence all aspects of our lives. Using examples from his recently published book Numbers Rule Your World, statistician Kaiser Fung will discuss some key statistical ideas—things they surprisingly don’t teach you in statistics classes. In addition, popular accounts of scientific innovations typically leave out the convoluted, imperfect process by which they enter everyday life. The adoption of statistical science provides a fertile backdrop for investigating this process.
DATE: Tuesday, October 12, 2010
TIME: 6:00-7:00pm
PLACE: 10th Floor Exchange Space, NW corner of 10th Floor, Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY
Please contact Jill Conte at jill.conte@nyu.edu with any questions.