How NOT to use numbers

This article shows how NOT to use numbers.

This Reuters Article regarding the number of dead in the Burma cyclone, said:

"Given the gravity of the situation including the lack of food and water, some partners have reported fears for security, and violent behavior in the most severely afflicted areas," the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. It said "the number of deaths could range from 63,290 to 101,682"

This is like saying "82,486 plus or minus 19,196". With a margin of error that large, there's no way to support 5 significant digits of accuracy!

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Let's Play Jeopardy! (College edition)

In a recent (May 8, 2008) Jeopardy game, between College students, the following answer was used. None of the contestants even attempted an answer. Will you know it?

The category is "B.A" - and as a hint, since they knew it, that means the answer is two words that start with the letters B and A.

The clue:

"Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Unless you become THIS you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven."


Got it?

No?

Believe it or not, not one contestant, (and these are "smart" college students) even attempted an answer to this one.

OK, just scroll on down for the answer.






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It's "Born Again".

As a commentary, I'm really shocked that none of them even had a clue. I thought everyone knew this! I hope you knew it.

Welcome to Kirkland. Prepare to get run over.

Too bad Kirkland hasn't yet installed bike lanes on 116th Ave NE. There are nice bike lanes on this road on the Bellevue section, but once you get across the city limit and enter Kirkland, the bike lane is over. You get a bit of shoulder here and there, separated by sections of road with just a fog line at the edge of the pavement.

Apparently this section of road has been identified to the Transportation Commission as needing bike lanes, but so far emails to the City as to dates for actual lanes have gone unanswered.