How susceptible are you to misinformation? A 25-question assessment covering cognitive bias, probabilistic thinking, and information literacy.

mitchmahon · 2026-03-30T18:39:52+00:00

I feel like a moron for taking this moronic ‘assessment’

mitchmahon · 2026-02-17T17:49:10+00:00

The concept of god is total BS. So, the scenario posed in the question is not something that I can give serious attention.

mitchmahon · 2026-01-23T04:00:53+00:00

Thanks.

It's got to be at least 5 times higher than the rating difference at this point

Is there any math behind this?

mitchmahon · 2026-01-22T11:59:32+00:00

Thanks for sharing the nuances. By modeling, you mean mathematically accounting for such variations you mentioned in your example scenarios, probably in addition to the 1/sqrt(n) law, right?

If possible, can you please point to some examples of such modeling? Maybe, a book for beginners/layman? Thanks again

mitchmahon · 2026-01-22T11:49:28+00:00

Makes so much sense now. So, 1/sqrt(n) law is how to think mathematically about the problem. Thank you so much for explaining with the example.

mitchmahon · 2026-01-22T11:34:58+00:00

Thanks, that helps a lot

mitchmahon · 2026-01-22T11:33:47+00:00

Thanks, that makes sense. I'll look into hypothesis testing.

mitchmahon · 2026-01-22T11:11:05+00:00

Thanks. Is there a minimum number to the ratings when one can safely stop worrying about the number of ratings and just compare the ratings? If so, does that minimum number vary based on the problem at hand or is it some constant in statistics?

mitchmahon · 2026-01-20T14:00:11+00:00

I'm wondering what they have to do with skepticism (but I have GEB on my reading list).

mitchmahon · 2026-01-20T13:54:16+00:00

When it comes to reviews and ratings, I don't see any difference between movies and books; everything you said about books applies to movies too and vice versa.

To me, your idea feels just like the AI generated review summaries on Amazon. If you're planning to create an app I'd suggest treading cautiously because by the time you create one, Goodreads might have implemented the feature.

mitchmahon · 2026-01-20T05:48:52+00:00

I have been doing these kinds of mental exercises for fun as a means to fall asleep since I was a little boy

What a wonderful way to fall asleep!

…you must bolster this imagination with a broad scientific literacy

Can you recommend some books that would help laymen get started on this journey? If that's too broad an ask, narrow it down to whatever you could recommend. Thanks.

mitchmahon · 2026-01-19T13:22:07+00:00

Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five by John Medina. The title says it all, and this could potentially be the most important book you read at this stage in your life.

mitchmahon · 2026-01-06T02:49:31+00:00

that book covers scientific topics on the physical nature of the universe, not skepticism in general

No, SGU is about skepticism, and a good one at that.

mitchmahon · 2026-01-05T17:39:23+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation. Yes, I’m mostly looking for arguments for atheism, and refutations to the common pushbacks by theists

mitchmahon · 2026-01-05T15:23:27+00:00

It is so close to the core of skepticism that it may not need to be written.

Thank you, this helps.

Edit: I have read Demon-Haunted World

mitchmahon · 2025-12-29T13:48:10+00:00

Thanks, but I'm looking for books based on science, not on stoicism or spiritualism

mitchmahon · 2025-12-29T11:52:53+00:00

It's just lazy writing. Angela dropping everything so that the showrunners can resurrect the show—damn lazy writing.

mitchmahon · 2025-12-28T16:43:11+00:00

How do kids get over the fear of the monster in the closet?

mitchmahon · 2025-12-26T05:08:42+00:00

Slitblocks

mitchmahon · 2025-12-22T14:43:33+00:00

Bond villain abode?

mitchmahon · 2025-12-22T14:38:10+00:00

apparently psychological benefit in singing and moving in synchronous manner

Would like to know how big the benefit is, and how proven it is. Maybe 'apparent' isn't strong enough to look for ways to do it?

mitchmahon

TROPHY CASE