Books
Books that I have written.
Media Appearances
Podcasts and Videos in which I have appeared or which I have created.
pyndamics3
Dynamical systems simulation in Python. Includes both continuous and stochastic simulation.
Stats for Everyone
An introductory stats book from a Bayesian perspective, including Python software.
I am a Scientist, Skeptic, and Professor at Bryant University. My goal is to make technical subject matters widely accessible and to use my analytical and computational skills to assist anyone with their science-related problems.
Blog
Probability of the Resurrection Discussion through Calculation
In a recent discussion about the use of probability in a religious context I saw another poor job of a calculation of the Resurrection (I had read several others that …
#religion
Unbelievable? Is faith about belief or trust? And why does it matter? Travis Dickinson with Brian Blais
In this discussion/debate, I talk with Travis Dickinson about the concept of faith. Travis is the author of "Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel" and says …
#media
A Measure of Faith - Probability in Religious Thought
From the trivial to the monumental our decisions are governed by – or should be governed by – rational thought. This book explores the role of rational thought as described by the …
#books
Probability - It's Not Just about the Math
When I first learned probability, I thought it was all about math and counting. Then E. T. Jaynes showed me that probability forms the foundation of rationality itself. Remarkably very …
#math
Why Christian Apologetics is Faulty Science and Faulty History
In this episode I join Andrew and Matthew to discuss The Fine Tuning Argument, The Second Law of Thermodynamics, contingency, evidence for the Christian claim of a historical resurrection of …
#media
Useful Fictions
People who externalize the creative influence with a genie or muse easily explain why they can be amazingly creative at one moment and be stuck in the next — the muse simply is not there. Given that humans are inherently story-driven beings there is some value in the short-hand of describing this "other" as an external agent, an effect outside of our immediate control.
#articles
An Interesting Twist on the Gambler's Fallacy
I was reminded of the Gambler's Fallacy in a recent post by Stephen Novella and thought of a twist on the fallacy that makes it a bit more subtle. The …
#math
Book Review - "Unbelievable?" by Justin Brierley
Structure of the Review
As I finished this review it became apparent that there are two main audiences for what I wrote - those that have yet to read the book …
#religion
If at first you don't succeed (for 50 times) you might reconsider
Here's a straightforward problem from Quora - probably found in a textbook - but I try to find a new direction to make it more interesting.
If there is a 25% chance …
#math
Dynamical systems with pyndamics
Describe dynamical systems in terms of the differential equations without having to write the coding loops or functions. Easily plot the changes in the variables, show phase plots, and vector …
#projects
Stats for Everyone
Have a statistics question or project? I'd love to hear from you! One of my goals is to bring statistical reasoning to everyone, both as a general framework for rational …
#books
Models of Learning and Memory
Simulate biologically derived neural networks of medium complexity - both rate- and spike-based models. Explore the dynamics of synaptic plasticity under different input environments, including low-dimensional vector environments and natural image …
#books
Bryant Faculty Spotlight
This video is part of the Bryant Faculty Spotlight series. In this episode I speaks about his book Statistical Inference for Everyone, an open textbook that approaches introductory statistical inference …
#media
10 dogmas of science dismantled
In his talk about the limitations of science, Rupert Sheldrake lists the "10 dogmas of modern science" (also listed here in text http://wariscrime.com/new/the-ten-dogmas-of-modern-science/). They are:
- Everything …
#science
There is more than enough time
Here are some notes about time management that I found useful from this article:
- If you’re with your friends, be with your friends. If you’re doing the dishes …
#productivity
A Cookbook Response to Jordan Peterson
I've reproduced below Sam Harris' incredible example of interpreting texts. Harris brought this up at the end of a long podcast with Peterson, but didn't press Peterson on it.
Make …
#religion
Exploring the Idea of Scrum
Although I am not in software development, and I don't work in a lot of teams, I have recently read the book Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work …
#productivity
Your Lack of Imagination Can Kill You …but you can be saved by math
Here is my TEDxBryantU talk on Skepticism, Probability, and the Guide to Proper Thinking! Even useful for analyzing broken clocks.
#critical thinking
Life from non-life and other conundrums
In the Unbelievable podcast episode 27 Oct 2007 - Top reasons for belief there is a discussion about good arguments for God. Two questions were raised as evidence for God that …
#religion
Top Reasons for Belief
In the Unbelievable podcast episode 27 Oct 2007 - Top reasons for belief there is a discussion around the results of a small survey of reasons for belief in God and …
#Unbelievable Project
Physics Lab Ideas - Structure or No?
Over the years I have taught introductory physics labs and I have seen that most “canned” labs offer very little to the student in the form of learning. I summarize …
#science
