|
|
|
Torsten
New Member
Canada
16 Posts |
 Posted - 09/03/2001 : 15:06:49 [Permalink]
|
quote:
. . . but I've been having problems where something "times out" on the board when I'm writing a post and I lose everything I've written.
I usually write my comments in Notepad, then copy and paste to the editing window. I've found that sometimes I want to refer to another webpage, but if I forget to open the other webpage in a second window, I sometimes lose the post I was working on. To avoid this, I then have to make a point of "backing up" to the page I'm posting to, and it's all so inefficient and irritating . With this particular board, I found that if I inadvertantly hit the "Esc" key, I lose the post I was creating, so writing it in a completely different application saves me that grief.
quote:
So, how do we educate the masses about probability and statistical populations or is it a lost cause? Is it easier to blame or thank god when improbable events occur?
Sorry to go on and on about this subject - I find it absolutely fascinating.
I know plenty of people who have difficulty with basic math. Some of it is due to a poor foundation (possibly they weren't interested in school, and they suffer for it today), for others it is too abstract and beyond their ability to reason. Many people simply can't apply the appropriate math to simple real-world problems.
For a number of years after I finished university, I worked in an environment where the statistical methods I'd learned, and even the high school algebra and trigonmetry, were used on a regular basis. But I haven't needed to use those tools much recently, and I know my skills have deteriorated significantly. So for people who have never pursued math beyond what they learned in high school (and gladly forgot once they were out of there), I suspect a simple probability statement might be relatively meaningless. (Especially the concept that a small, but non-zero, probability of an event applied to a large enough population will eventually result in occurences of that event.)
So yes, it's easier to blame or thank God when improbable events occur, and this won't change anytime soon.
No need to apologize -- I find it fascinating too. I'm just a little pre-occupied most days and don't get to respond as soon as I'd like, so I hope you don't mind my returning to it after a period of days.
TK
huh? |
 |
|
|
PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2001 : 19:20:12 [Permalink]
|
quote:
To each his/her own. Many things in life are gambles. The stock market is a huge casino (unless it is used wisely). People can throw away more money simultaneously on the stock market than they possibly can lose playing the lottery/lotto.
This is true of those they call "day traders," who didn't exist 10 years ago. The stock market is actually a great long-term investment, provided your holdings are diverse enough. Used to be, one would call his/her broker and make a transaction or three, perhaps the same day, perhaps the next. But you couldn't stay on the phone with your broker all day. Now, any financial dunce can log on to Ameritrade at work and buy and sell all day long. And we wonder about future market stability?
This signature does not exist. |
|
|
|
Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2001 : 21:27:08 [Permalink]
|
quote:
I know plenty of people who have difficulty with basic math. Some of it is due to a poor foundation (possibly they weren't interested in school, and they suffer for it today), for others it is too abstract and beyond their ability to reason. Many people simply can't apply the appropriate math to simple real-world problems.
I had the opposit problem. Spelling and reading is very difficult for me. Geometry is/was simple.
I can't understand why someone wouldn't know how to add numbers, work with angles, shapes, etc.
But then I guess that's why credit card companies are in business and debt councling companies. People don't know how to manage their finances.
nlm
Rap Crap is to music what Paint by Numbers is to art. |
|
|
|
Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2001 : 21:41:08 [Permalink]
|
quote:
quote:
To each his/her own. Many things in life are gambles. The stock market is a huge casino (unless it is used wisely). People can throw away more money simultaneously on the stock market than they possibly can lose playing the lottery/lotto.
This is true of those they call "day traders," who didn't exist 10 years ago. The stock market is actually a great long-term investment, provided your holdings are diverse enough. Used to be, one would call his/her broker and make a transaction or three, perhaps the same day, perhaps the next. But you couldn't stay on the phone with your broker all day. Now, any financial dunce can log on to Ameritrade at work and buy and sell all day long. And we wonder about future market stability?
PhDreamer,
I don't know who said the quote you answered above but you are right. And they don't know what they are talking about.
Damn Day Traders.
Our household income has never been a lot, under $30,000. We pretty much started with nothing, no family money, etc., we saved everything ourselves. And if it wasn't for the stock market, we'd never have a decent/enjoyable/secure life. I wish they would get rid of that really stupid capital gain law.
I do have to say, the reason I orginaly got into the stock market was because I thought of it as gambling, a natural transition from playing the Ponies in my younger days. True, I gamble on some penny stocks and lesser known companies with extra money but it's the GM's, the HDI's, and TGT, etc., that have been very good to me.
Rap Crap is to music what Paint by Numbers is to art. |
|
|
|
Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2001 : 22:06:11 [Permalink]
|
quote:
People don't know how to manage their finances.
An additional problem: Credit given to younger and younger people.
When I was at Ramstein, someone came up with the bright idea of letting people charge on their NCO Club cards. They could also be used at the base sporting goods store. Fine. Except brand new airmen were getting these cards and max-ing them out. This is in addition to other credit card companies sending these kids cards with attractive sounding offers.
Ed and I spent many a weekend with our house full of these airmen seeking help. We've made phone calls to creditors, and sometimes we could get the kids monthly bills lowered. One thing was always there and in use...the scissors!
Lisa
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
