Sublime

What happens in systems with noisy data and underdeveloped theory—like earthquake prediction and parts of economics and political science—is a two-step process. First, people start to mistake the noise for a signal. Second, this noise pollutes journals, blogs, and news accounts with false alarms, undermining good science and setting back our abilit

“Are they real?

tenuous

Michelle Alexander in The New Jim Crow.

Ferguson was also part of a semi-secret British government committee called the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, or SAGE. SAGE first came together in 2009 amid fears of a potential swine flu epidemic. It quickly faced criticism for a lack of transparency and inaccurate projections. In July 2009, it estimated the swine flu might kill up to

essence, we are dealing with disgruntled young people who do unexpected or dangerous things under the social influence of their peers and role models—a.k.a. the common adolescent. And yet, only a small fraction of disgruntled young people stumble into behaviors that are significantly more dangerous than making severe fashion statements or partying

winnow

Leigh’s elm, Jean’s ash, Emmett’s ironwood, and Adam’s maple, each made from identical green puffballs.

occult