3 Questions. 3 Hints. 3 Answers. Every Tuesday.
1. What recently reported spurious correlation emphasizes the importance of logical theory?
Hint:
Answer: though there is a correlation between U.S. spending on science and suicides by hanging (and suffocation & strangulation) it is a spurious correlation. There are many other examples of illusory correlations that have surfaced over the years, a couple of which are brought to light here. The moral of the story is that before you accept a connection, make sure it is backed up by more than just numbers on a graph.
2. What seems to be increasingly and annoyingly buzzing around that, unlike a mosquito, can’t be slapped (in the traditional sense)?
Hint:
Answer: camera, video and audio equipped drones appear to be everywhere these days. Creepy stories abound including this one involving a female sunbather. While drones may be used for recreational purposes, their use has raised many concerns including privacy violations and personal & environmental injuries.
3. What recent court decision drastically cut into one woman’s Facebook time? “Like” if you agree with the holding.
Hint:
Answer: a New Jersey appellate panel has spoken: a mother’s free speech rights were not violated by an earlier decision restricting her ability to post disturbing material about her ex-husband and children on Facebook. Read the details here.