Ayres on Super Crunchers and the Power of Data

http://www.econtalk.org/ ^

[cool2007]

Ian Ayres of Yale University Law School talks about the ideas in his new book, Super Crunchers: Why Thinking-by-Numbers Is the New Way to Be Smart. Ayres argues for the power of data and analysis over more traditional decision-making methods using judgment and intuition. He talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about predicting the quality of wine based on climate and rainfall, the increasing use of randomized data in the world of business, the use of evidence and information in medicine rather than the judgment of your doctor, and whether concealed handguns or car protection devices such as LoJack reduce the crime rate. The podcast closes with a postscript by Roberts challenging the use of sophisticated statistical techniques to analyze complex systems.

[Don Corleone]

All the number crunching in the world won’t beat one woman’s intuition.

[VOA]

Ian Ayres of Yale University Law School talks about the
ideas in his new book, Super Crunchers: Why Thinking-by-Numbers Is
the New Way to Be Smart. Ayres argues for the power of data and
analysis over more traditional decision-making methods using judgment
and intuition.

Leave it to a lawyer to think he's (in a math sense) created the wheel.

This guy probably doesn't even know that the modern law school
was a creation of guys who understood numbers.
As in, pack 200-300 students into a classroom, require they buy
certain law books and just talk with them.

That's why law schools are viewed as "profit centers" of universities.
All based on numbers.

And heaven help the lawyer that really uses numbers.
Pretty soon they'll be thinking in terms of Freakanomics and
thinking like John ("More Guns, Less Crime") Lott and Stossel.

That's no way to get on the path to a judgeship or big law firm job!

[VOA]

All the number crunching in the world won’t beat one woman’s intuition.

Exhibit A: Sandra Day O'Connor

[LibFreeOrDie]

“Ayres very confident about LoJack but thinks Lott is wrong about guns.”

( http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2007/10/ayres_on_super.html#highlights )

John Lott is right about guns. Ayres is wrong.

[theBuckwheat]

Prof. Robert’s podcasts are free and always very informative. His interviews are lengthy enough to allow the guest to fully develop a cogent answer and explain his ideas. World class!

I use Juice (http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/) to download them automatically in the wee hours and often throw a few in my iPod to listen to while traveling.