One Titted Babe, Shark Attacks and Other Motorcycle Statistics
If you created a statistical average of every person in the world,
the statistically "correct" person would have one boob and one
testicle. Goes to show that just because the mathematical equation
ads up, it doesn't mean it's correct.
The "science" of statistics is one fickle bitch that cant be trusted. Not to mention the fact that all statistical analysis dispose of outliers. The mins and the max'.
Back in the real world, we are overflowing with outliers. 9/11 was an outlier. Bill Gates is an outlier. Volcanic eruption in Iceland is an outlier. I guess what I'm saying is that in the real world, there is that one in a million that statistics cant (or doesn't want to?) account for which makes all the difference.
So is the case with shark attacks.
Oft cited statistics regarding sharks is that sharks attack in shallow waters. Really? Attack who?
The studies are made by people and so these studies are people centric. Sharks, according to statistical data, will most commonly attack in 3 ft of water. Now that you know this, you can finally take that swimming route to the other coast via the Atlantic.
How many people can a shark find 100 miles away from the shore? Or for that matter, 1 mile away from the shore?
People scarcity outside the shallows makes it hard for a shark to attack if there is nothing to attack. Er go, statistical data would have you believe that you are perfectly safe from shark attacks in case you find your self stranded in the middle of the ocean. Statistically speaking of course.
Another piece of statistical data is that most motorcycle accidents occur within a 12 mile radius of your home. Really?
Could this be another example of the shark tricking the statistician? I think so.
Every time you get on your motorcycle you will pass through the 12 mile radius of your house. The routes beyond that 12 mile point are likely to be different (or at least not consistent), er go, you will spend more time (statistically speaking) within the 12 mile radius than any one spot outside it. Do you think this will skew the results? Most definitely.
Moral of the story? Be careful. Both within the 12 mile radius and beyond and don't believe all the math all the time.
Dino Out
The "science" of statistics is one fickle bitch that cant be trusted. Not to mention the fact that all statistical analysis dispose of outliers. The mins and the max'.
Back in the real world, we are overflowing with outliers. 9/11 was an outlier. Bill Gates is an outlier. Volcanic eruption in Iceland is an outlier. I guess what I'm saying is that in the real world, there is that one in a million that statistics cant (or doesn't want to?) account for which makes all the difference.
So is the case with shark attacks.
Oft cited statistics regarding sharks is that sharks attack in shallow waters. Really? Attack who?
The studies are made by people and so these studies are people centric. Sharks, according to statistical data, will most commonly attack in 3 ft of water. Now that you know this, you can finally take that swimming route to the other coast via the Atlantic.
How many people can a shark find 100 miles away from the shore? Or for that matter, 1 mile away from the shore?
People scarcity outside the shallows makes it hard for a shark to attack if there is nothing to attack. Er go, statistical data would have you believe that you are perfectly safe from shark attacks in case you find your self stranded in the middle of the ocean. Statistically speaking of course.
Another piece of statistical data is that most motorcycle accidents occur within a 12 mile radius of your home. Really?
Could this be another example of the shark tricking the statistician? I think so.
Every time you get on your motorcycle you will pass through the 12 mile radius of your house. The routes beyond that 12 mile point are likely to be different (or at least not consistent), er go, you will spend more time (statistically speaking) within the 12 mile radius than any one spot outside it. Do you think this will skew the results? Most definitely.
Moral of the story? Be careful. Both within the 12 mile radius and beyond and don't believe all the math all the time.
Dino Out
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