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
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
Getting the Definitions Right
I posted before about 3 Reasons Why Belief in God Makes Sense from the Unbelievable Podcast. In another article, Justin Brierley comments on some of his observations as the moderator …
#religion
The Truth of a Story
In Part 1 of this post I walk through a powerful, but false, story of a vindicated math prodigy. When the article stated…
”No. I gave you that option already …
#critical thinking
Your Lack of Imagination Can Kill You — But You Can Be Saved by Math TEDx Bryant
Here I present how our cognitive biases -- confirmation bias, innumeracy, either-or bias -- can lead to significant problems, but also can be solved with the proper use of probability theory. Essentially …
#media
The Power of a Story …especially when it's wrong
Stories are a powerful influence on thinking. It is pretty clear that humans communicate best in narratives, and the more that you can use stories to explain a concept the …
#critical thinking
Sea Slug Brains …delicious or no?
I learned a somewhat disturbing fact about sea squirts recently - once they find their permanent home they eat their own brain because they don’t need it anymore - their brain …
#science
3 Reasons Why Belief In God Makes Sense …or not
In a new book, Justin Brierley of the very good Unbelievable Podcast writes about 3 Reasons Why Belief in God Makes Sense. These reasons aren’t particularly compelling to me …
#religion
Facts are Not Enough
In the October issue of Significance magazine, an article called “Why facts are not enough in the fight against fake news” by Brian Tarran resonated with some of the things …
#critical thinking
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, do the …
#productivity
Happy Groundhog Day!
Happy Groundhog Day, tomorrow! Hope Phil's predictions are as good as ever! The data are summarized as:
- Sees his shadow - 103 (79.23%)
- Does not see his shadow - 18 (13 …
#articles
Matter, Energy, and the Spirit
Theists seem to critique naturalism with the claim that there is more to the universe than just "matter and energy". However, even physicists have in their models certain entities which …
#religion
