The battle of the shifting base: why only zombies can have a tenfold decrease in mortality

The battle of the shifting base: why only zombies can have a tenfold decrease in mortality

Beware percentages of increase and decrease. They don’t behave in an intuitive way — because of the “battle of the shifting base.” According to a tweet by our president, we’ve had “A Tenfold Decrease In Mortality” from COVID-19. While there’s a lot wrong with this tweet — here’s a fact check on why the statement…

Because of this terrible chart in Georgia, people could die

Because of this terrible chart in Georgia, people could die

Data is crucial in making decisions about reopening states. So is the visualization of that data. And the state of Georgia may have just published the most misleading and dangerous chart about virus infections ever. Here’s the chart. Take a close look. (You can see it bigger here.) The vertical axis is infections. The horizontal…

The lowlights from Ben Sasse’s dreadful commencement speech

The lowlights from Ben Sasse’s dreadful commencement speech

Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse, apparently jealous of Barack Obama, decided to deliver a seven-minute “commencement speech” that was supposed to be funny. It wasn’t funny. It was sad. If you’re a high school senior, class of 2020, I’m betting it struck you as particularly awful. Sasse, who couldn’t be bothered to shave, put on a…

Columbia students need answers. Lee Bollinger delivers mumbles.

Columbia students need answers. Lee Bollinger delivers mumbles.

It’s a terrible time in higher education. Nobody really knows if students will be coming back on campus in the fall. They need clarity. Columbia University president Lee Bollinger’s communications aren’t providing it. I have a college student at home right now — like every other student, mine wants to know what next fall will…

There are viral disease models. And then there is presidential advisor Kevin Hassett punching random buttons on Excel.

There are viral disease models. And then there is presidential advisor Kevin Hassett punching random buttons on Excel.

In a chart posted by the White House Council of Economic Advisors, one curve projects no more COVID-19 deaths after mid-May. The curve, based on data from presidential advisor Kevin Hassett, is malpractice — it’s not even good enough to be wrong. Let’s take a quick look at what models are, how they succeed or…

Virtual Stadium — the Zoom live event product we need now

Virtual Stadium — the Zoom live event product we need now

Streaming performances are missing something crucial: the crowd. We’re going to need that. So today, I’m releasing a spec for the product we need: Virtual Stadium. If you build it, we will use it. Any good performer — musician, athlete, or public speaker — knows the crowd is an essential part of the performance. Did…

Why train now? The motivational value of investing in staff during the lockdown.

Why train now? The motivational value of investing in staff during the lockdown.

Your people are sad. They’re frustrated. They’re having trouble getting stuff done. Now is the time to invest in their skills — not just to make them smarter, but to make them feel more confident in a moment filled with fear. Workshops in lockdown Let me tell you about an amazing experience I’ve been privileged…

That batshit Trump statement about injecting disinfectant

That batshit Trump statement about injecting disinfectant

President Trump actually suggested injecting disinfectant to cure coronavirus. On its face, this statement is so incendiary and dangerous that it demands dissection. What did he actually say, in what context, and what did he mean? The president says many batshit things which, on closer examination, appear to be just rambling of some kind which,…