Other books that might interest you

• 

  Strength in Numbers - How Polls...

  G. Elliott Morris

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Public opinion polling is the ultimate democratic process; it gives every person an equal voice in letting elected leaders know what they need and want. But in the eyes of the public, polls today are tarnished. Recent election forecasts have routinely missed the mark and media coverage of polls has focused solely on predicting winners and losers. 
   
   
   
  In Strength in Numbers, data journalist G. Elliott Morris argues that the larger purpose of political polls is to improve democracy, not just predict elections. Whether used by interest groups, the press, or politicians, polling serves as a pipeline from the governed to the government, giving citizens influence they would otherwise lack. No one who believes in democracy can afford to give up on polls; they should commit, instead, to understanding them better. 
   
   
   
  Morris takes listeners from the first semblance of data-gathering in the ancient world through to the development of modern-day scientific polling. He explains how the internet and "big data" have solved many challenges in polling—and created others. He covers the rise of polling aggregation and methods of election forecasting, reveals how data can be distorted and misrepresented, and demystifies the uncertainty of polling. Acknowledging where polls have gone wrong in the past, Morris charts a path for the industry's future.

  Show book

• 

  Galactic Ghosts - How Dark...

  Dirk Fallon

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Dark matter is one of the greatest mysteries in modern science. Despite being invisible and undetectable by traditional means, it makes up approximately 27% of the universe’s total mass and energy. It does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it completely transparent to current observational instruments. However, scientists are certain of its existence due to its gravitational effects on visible matter, radiation, and the large-scale structure of the universe. Its discovery has led to a major shift in our understanding of the cosmos, revealing that most of the universe’s matter remains hidden from our view. 
  The term "dark matter" was first introduced in the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that astronomers began to recognize its significant role in the universe. In 1933, Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky observed the motion of galaxies within clusters and noted that the amount of visible matter in these clusters was insufficient to account for their observed gravitational effects. This led him to propose the existence of an unseen form of matter, which he referred to as "dark matter." Over the following decades, similar observations were made by astronomers studying the rotation of individual galaxies. The rotation speeds of galaxies were found to be much higher than what could be explained by the visible matter in the galaxies. This discrepancy suggested that there was additional, unseen matter providing extra gravitational pull, keeping the galaxies intact and preventing them from flying apart. 
  Dark matter does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, which is why it cannot be directly observed. It’s not made up of the usual atoms and particles that constitute the familiar matter we see in everyday life. Instead, it seems to consist of particles that do not interact with electromagnetic forces, which is why they are invisible.

  Show book

• 

  When the Ice is Gone - What a...

  Paul Bierman

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  In 2018, lumps of frozen soil, collected from the bottom of the world's first deep ice core and lost for decades, reappeared in Denmark. When geologist Paul Bierman and his team first melted a piece of this unique material, they were shocked to find perfectly preserved leaves, twigs, and moss. That observation led them to a startling discovery: Greenland's ice sheet had melted naturally before, about 400,000 years ago. 
   
   
   
  In When the Ice Is Gone, Bierman traces the story of this extraordinary finding, revealing how it radically changes our understanding of the Earth and its climate. A longtime researcher in Greenland, he begins with a brief history of the island, both human and geological. For the origins of ice coring, Bierman brings us to Camp Century, a US military base built inside Greenland's ice sheet, where engineers first drilled through mile-thick ice and into the frozen soil beneath. Decades later, a few feet of that long-frozen earth would reveal its secrets—ancient warmth and melted ice. 
   
   
   
  Changes in Greenland reverberate around the world, with ice melting high in the arctic affecting people everywhere. Bierman explores how losing Greenland's ice will catalyze devastating events if we don't change course and address climate change now.

  Show book

• 

  The Gambler's Fallacy -...

  William Rands

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Gambler's Fallacy, also known as the Monte Carlo fallacy, is a common cognitive bias in which individuals believe that past events can influence future random outcomes. It is particularly evident in gambling scenarios, where players wrongly assume that a string of bad or good luck must be followed by a reversal. The core principle of the fallacy lies in the misinterpretation of probability. In reality, the odds of a specific event occurring remain constant, regardless of what happened in the past. This misunderstanding can lead to poor decision-making and increased risks. 
  The roots of the Gambler's Fallacy can be traced back to the early days of gambling, particularly in games of chance such as roulette. A notable historical example occurred in 1913 at the Monte Carlo casino, where the ball in a roulette wheel landed on black 26 times in a row. Spectators, believing the outcome was due for a change, began betting heavily on red. However, the fallacy is that each spin of the wheel is an independent event, and the probability of landing on red or black remains the same, regardless of previous outcomes. This phenomenon was named after the casino, where many people lost large sums due to their misguided beliefs. 
  In the context of games like roulette or coin flips, every spin or toss is independent, with no memory of past results. A fair coin, for example, has a 50% chance of landing heads or tails on each toss. However, when gamblers fall prey to the Gambler's Fallacy, they believe that if the coin lands heads several times in a row, the chances of tails increase with each successive flip. This misunderstanding can be disastrous, especially when it leads to reckless betting behavior.

  Show book

• 

  Go Figure! - The astonishing...

  Lisa Falco

  • 1
  • 0
  • 0

  The story about a body in continuous transformation. This book unravels the mystery surrounding women's biology and explains what is happening underneath the surface. We all know that the female body changes cyclically every month during the reproductive years, and that it completely transforms during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. However, most of us ignore the fascinating details. What triggers those changes and what are the sometimes unexpected consequences? The facts are as mind-blowing as entertaining. Based on the latest research, all information is presented in an easy to read manner with plenty of anecdotes; from historical prejudices to personal experiences, with some evolutionary ideas in between.

  Show book

• 

  The Art of Cryptocurrency...

  Marcus Sterling

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Grab the keys to profitable cryptocurrency trading by reading our in-depth book, "The Art of Cryptocurrency Trading: Crypto Trading Strategies - Maximizing Profits in the Digital Frontier." This book is your guide to successfully navigating the ever-changing world of digital assets, regardless of your experience as a trader and your desire to improve your tactics or start with a profitable venture. 
  Explore the core of cryptocurrency trading as we delve into the nuances of decentralized assets, blockchain technology, and market dynamics. We offer step-by-step guidance to give you the knowledge you need to succeed, from comprehending various exchange types to proficiency in technical and fundamental analysis. 
  Imagine making well-informed trading decisions that maximize profits, reduce risks, and take advantage of market trends. That vision can come true with our book. Imagine using technical indicators and patterns to your advantage, becoming confident enough to execute trades, and strategically matching your objectives with the ideal trading strategy. As you move through each chapter, you'll feel equipped to take charge of your financial destiny in the thrilling realm of cryptocurrency. 
  Take advantage of the chance to develop into a knowledgeable and creative cryptocurrency trader. Start by improving your trading knowledge, becoming an expert at risk management, and maximizing your gains. This book is your key to opening doors of success in the ever-changing digital frontier, regardless of your experience level. Start now to set yourself up for a successful and rewarding trading career.

  Show book