disconfirmation bias: n. The tendency to accept supportive evidence of a belief uncritically, but to actively refute or discount evidence that challenges that belief.
This must certainly be the quote of the week from English author Alan Bennett’s play Forty Years On:
Foster: I’m still a bit hazy about the Trinity, sir. Schoolmaster: Three in one, one in three, perfectly straightforward. Any doubts about that see your maths master.
Incidentally, I note that ‘HARASS SARAH’ is a PALINdrome, as well as a popular left-wing sport.
Sol Golomb, mathematician and information theorist
via personal communication while discussing a palindromic word puzzle
Finished reading Induction and Intuition in Scientific Thought by P.B. Medawar
Originally published in 1969. This book explains what is wrong with the traditional methodology of “inductive” reasoning and shows that the alternative scheme of reasoning associated with Whewell, Pierce and Popper can give the scientist a useful insight into the way he thinks.
Christopher J. Aldrich, Engr ’96, of Los Angeles, writes:
“I recently booked Bea Arthur into two episodes of the TV show “Malcolm in the Middle,” for which she received an Emmy nomination. Following this, I left Creative Artists Agency to join David Entertainment, where I helped to produce MGM’s Breakers, starring Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Now I’m preparing for production of Doctor Doolittle 2, starring Eddie Murphy and Behind Enemy Lines, with Gene Hackman and Owen Wilson.”