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Typhoid Harry

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Posts posted by Typhoid Harry


  1. One that you English ladies and gents are all too familiar with, is of course, the venerable Mr Rolf Harris. He isn't getting any younger...

     

    How does he look in terms of health these days?

     

    My question was, and still is; will they tan his hide when he's dead, Fred? Clyde is dying to know.

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  2. A Zebra dies and arrives at the Pearly Gates.. As he enters, he asks St. Peter, 'I have a question that's haunted me all of my days on earth. Am I white with black stripes, or am I black with white stripes?'

     

    St. Peter said, 'That's a question only God can answer.'

     

    So the zebra went off in search of God.

     

    When he found Him, the zebra asked, 'God, please - I must know Am I white with black stripes, or am I black with white stripes?'

     

    God simply replied 'You are what you are.'

     

    The zebra returned to see St. Peter once more, who asked him, 'Well, did God straighten out your query for you?'

     

    The zebra looked puzzled.. 'No sir, God simply said 'You are what you are.''

     

    St. Peter smiled and said to the zebra, 'Well then, there you are. You are white with black stripes..'

     

    The zebra asked St. Peter, 'How do you know that for certain?'

     

    'Because,' said St. Peter, 'If you were black with white stripes, God would have said, 'You is what you is..'

     

    I'll get me hat....


  3. Our Oz guesty really should register, seriously the most worthwhile visitor in ages. I'll be back down for Sydney Hobart on Boxing day this year, perhaps we cold get drunk? Brisbane is a trek from there, though.


  4. Statistics 101

     

    All statistics are meaningless

     

    1. Sample size - In medical studies, as with all scientific testing, results should withstand rigorous scrutiny. Studies should therefore be based on an adequate sample size.

     

    2. Average - Is just a word in the dictionary. Forget qualitative, think quantitative.

     

    Example: The Gaussian distribution

     

    normal.gif

     

    A symmetrical distribution based around a mean. This means that 50% of the population lie ABOVE the mean. If the average survival rate of disease X was 5 years then 50% of the population would, on average, live longer than five years, assuming of course the population follows a Gaussian distribution. (The distribution could be wider than that with confidence intervals set many years after that "average magic year of death".

     

    3. 57% of statistics are made up on the spot.

     

    4. Statistics in the hands of laymen can and generally are (mis)interpreted any which way they like. The media are especially evil in this respect (revisit MMR sites for confirmation).

     

    5. 65-85% five year survival rate means that between 65 to 85% live to AT LEAST five years beyond diagnosis. Steve Jobs having being diagnosed in 2004, arbitrarily lets say Jan 2004, means that he has survived 5 years so far and thus not in the 15-35% of population that are expected to die before the fifth year. From this statement we do not know what the distribution is like nor can we infer anything more. Seeing all the data is critical, diagrams help, though stats can be manipulated just ask any government. Qualitative statements do not give the full picture.

     

    6. Steve Jobs is on my DDP team ;)

     

    All statistics are meaningless. QED

     

     

     

     

    Statistically speaking, and you should never use statistics to determine your unique case, the type of cancer Jobs had/has has a 65-85% five year survival rate.

     

    Yeah, but he was diagnosed in 2004.... :unsure:

     

    Unless you cut and pasted this (and I can't be asked to check) I'm impressed. 98% of all statistics are wrong would have been sufficient.


  5. Such a shame she's gone, had a big crush on her when she was in "Are You Being Served"

     

    I had dinner with her one night back in 1986 (as I recall), at the height of her popularity at the time, and the way she was so gracious to the interminable number of people who interrupted for an autograph was, eventually, awe inspiring. Her patience waned in her later years, I'm told, but my memories will always be of her class and dignity. RIP, Wendy, and thanks for the hit.

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