Samuel Karlin quotes

The purpose of models is not to fit the data but to sharpen the question.
-- Samuel Karlin

#Science #Data #Statistics

Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Our national policies will not be revoked or modified, even for scientists. If the dismissal of Jewish scientists means the annihilation of contemporary German science, then we shall do without science for a few years.

Soon I knew the craft of experimental physics was beyond me - it was the sublime quality of patience - patience in accumulating data, patience with recalcitrant equipment - which I sadly lacked.

In the spirit of science, there really is no such thing as a 'failed experiment.' Any test that yields valid data is a valid test.

Scientists learn about the world in three ways: They analyze statistical patterns in the data, they do experiments, and they learn from the data and ideas of other scientists. The recent studies show that children also learn in these ways.

According to FBI statistics for 2008, only 22 percent of murder victims were killed by strangers. More than 30 percent were slain by family members, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Nearly half of all murders were committed by friends, neighbors, and casual acquaintances.

If you torture statistics long enough, they'll eventually confess the truth

In computers, every 'new explosion' was set off by a software product that allowed users to program differently.

Higher education is not necessarily a guarantee of higher virtue.

Training was one thing, reality another.