World-historical volcano map

This nifty volcano map is based on a dataset of 10,734 known volcanic eruptions from 1,562 individual volcanoes, going back in time 12,000 years, and was prepared by James R. A. Davenport, a PhD candidate in Astronomy at the University of Washington. Check out his excellent website “If we assume.”

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A solution to Newcomb’s problem

Although “it’s not entirely clear that [Newcomb’s paradox] is well-posed” (see video at 8:11), Professor NJ Wildberger presents an elegant mathematical solution to this probabilistic problem in the video above.

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Piano-shelf

Is this art or a wasteful prank? Hat tip to Weikardzaena (via reddit) for the pic.

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Broken y-axis controversy

Read more about this little statistical dust-up here (via Justin Fox). Addendum (31 Dec. 2014): Here is another take on this controversy.

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Agricultural map of Cuba (circa 1949)

Click on the map for a larger version. Hat tip to BrotherSeamus!

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“Visualizing Probabilistic Proof”

IMG_0721IMG_0722

Our latest theoretical paper (“Visualizing Probabilistic Proof” — click on the image above to see our abstract) has just been published in volume 7 of the Wash U Jurisprudence Review, along with an interesting Note by Krista C. McCormack titled “Ethos, Pathos, and Logos: The Benefits of Aristotelian Rhetoric in the Courtroom.” Ms McCormack, who helped us edit our proof paper, is a 3L at Wash U Law School. We wish her well!

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Los Angeles Bay (circa 3014 A.D.)?

Bay of LA

Major props to Jeffrey Linn for creating this series of future sea rise maps. Also, check out his whimsical website spatialities.com.

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Arctic Ocean Umbrella

Image result for Arctic Ocean Umbrella
Order yours here!
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“Johnny Bust”?

Image result for johnny manziel meme

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Geminid meteor shower update

Hey, do you love meteor showers as much as we do? Via nasa.gov: “The 2014 Geminid meteor shower is forecast to be a lively meteor shower with great views in the skies over Earth.  The week of Dec. 8 is a good window for Geminid-watching, but the night of Dec. 13-14 is the anticipated peak.  Best viewing will be in dark sky locations, away from city lights.“

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