The Grand Election Thread

[DGuller]

Actually, it can be trivially easy.  Census has a metric shitload of data.  All you have to agree upon is the mathematical algorithm that takes census data as an input, and produces optimal congressional districts.  This process can be completely put on autopilot, once you settle on the parameters.

Sure, the algorithm is trivial. The agreement is what's hard.

But it's a one-time thing.  You don't need to maintain a group of supposedly independent judges on a commission to keep it working. 

[Viking]

Computers can do that for you.

Do what, settle upon parameters?

Touché

[Ed Anger]

For you Joe the Plumber fans, Kaptur pulverized him in ohio district 9.

[Maximus]

But it's a one-time thing.  You don't need to maintain a group of supposedly independent judges on a commission to keep it working.

You'd still need some sort of oversight, but yeah, it would be a lot easier now than in the past.

[DGuller]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57547239/adviser-romney-shellshocked-by-loss/

Romney shocked by loss?  Seriously?  Boy, am I glad this country won't rely on his analytic skills.  One more sign that these nuts went from acting stupid to method acting stupid.

[merithyn]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57547239/adviser-romney-shellshocked-by-loss/

Romney shocked by loss?  Seriously?  Boy, am I glad this country won't rely on his analytic skills.  One more sign that these nuts went from acting stupid to method acting stupid.

Not everyone has your zeal and trust for poll statistics.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Alex Wagner

I would soooooooo punch that chad.

On IM yesterday:

Me: BTW, the election has given me a new celebrity pass
Wife: oooh who?
Me: Alex Wagner
Wife: chris matthews?
Wife: who the eff is that?
Me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Wagner
Wife: how.... ethnic
Wife: shocker
Wife: just kidding!
Wife: she is very attractive. i approve.
Me: Good to know
Wife: the election has solidified my celebrity pass for brian williams
Wife: especially given his take down of donald trump
Me: Heh
Wife: a fellow NBC "star"
Wife: ACK! wait. she's a no-go
Wife: she describes herself as "progressive"
Wife: UGH
Me: That's what ball agas are for
Wife: LOL
Wife: I just snorted my water

[DGuller]

Not everyone has your zeal and trust for poll statistics.

At the very least Romney had to consider the possibility that the polls were correct.  Instead he assumed that the extraordinary theory of systematic poll bias was not only likely, but also the only probable explanation.  That's a very scary lack of ability to evaluate information critically for guy wanting to be a president.

[Ed Anger]

Alex Wagner

I would soooooooo punch that chad.

On IM yesterday:

Me: BTW, the election has given me a new celebrity pass
Wife: oooh who?
Me: Alex Wagner
Wife: chris matthews?
Wife: who the eff is that?
Me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Wagner
Wife: how.... ethnic
Wife: shocker
Wife: just kidding!
Wife: she is very attractive. i approve.
Me: Good to know
Wife: the election has solidified my celebrity pass for brian williams
Wife: especially given his take down of donald trump
Me: Heh
Wife: a fellow NBC "star"
Wife: ACK! wait. she's a no-go
Wife: she describes herself as "progressive"
Wife: UGH
Me: That's what ball agas are for
Wife: LOL
Wife: I just snorted my water

[Barrister]

Not everyone has your zeal and trust for poll statistics.

At the very least Romney had to consider the possibility that the polls were correct.  Instead he assumed that the extraordinary theory of systematic poll bias was not only likely, but also the only probable explanation.  That's a very scary lack of ability to evaluate information critically for guy wanting to be a president.

You're being too hard on the guy.

The fundamental problem (as I understand it) was the GOP assumed that voter turn out would be consistent with 2010 election, and not 2008.  In fact however Obama managed to get voter turnout of his supports at close to 2008 levels.

Now it's obvious a flawed assumption.  But plenty of bright people who have the ability to evaluate information critically can miss that an assumption they made is in fact incorrect.

[Eddie Teach]

She's cute, but just how many of these celebrity passes do you get?

[DGuller]

Now it's obvious a flawed assumption.  But plenty of bright people who have the ability to evaluate information critically can miss that an assumption they made is in fact incorrect.

Being careful with assumptions is only by far the most important part of being a critical thinker.  Sometimes you have no choice but to make an assumption, but in that case you have be prepared for cases were alternative assumptions hold instead.  Maybe there was nothing Romney could do in case his assumption proved incorrect, so he had not choice but to act on the favorable assumption, but he still should've at least been aware of other possibilities and not be gob-smacked by them.

[Barrister]

Now it's obvious a flawed assumption.  But plenty of bright people who have the ability to evaluate information critically can miss that an assumption they made is in fact incorrect.

Being careful with assumptions is only by far the most important part of being a critical thinker.  Sometimes you have no choice but to make an assumption, but in that case you have be prepared for cases were alternative assumptions hold instead.  Maybe there was nothing Romney could do in case his assumption proved incorrect, so he had not choice but to act on the favorable assumption, but he still should've at least been aware of other possibilities and not be gob-smacked by them.

Why?

Why prepare for an assumption that means you're going to lose?

[DGuller]

Why?

Why prepare for an assumption that means you're going to lose?

So that you won't be delusional?  And who knows, maybe in the future you can hedge for that assumption more than it seems like you can now.

I'm all for not worrying about things you can't control, that's the philosophy I live by.  However, not worrying is different from being willfully ignorant.

[FunkMonk]

On IM yesterday:

Me: BTW, the election has given me a new celebrity pass
Wife: oooh who?
Me: Alex Wagner
Wife: chris matthews?
Wife: who the eff is that?
Me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Wagner
Wife: how.... ethnic
Wife: shocker
Wife: just kidding!
Wife: she is very attractive. i approve.
Me: Good to know
Wife: the election has solidified my celebrity pass for brian williams
Wife: especially given his take down of donald trump
Me: Heh
Wife: a fellow NBC "star"
Wife: ACK! wait. she's a no-go
Wife: she describes herself as "progressive"
Wife: UGH
Me: That's what ball agas are for
Wife: LOL
Wife: I just snorted my water

Your wife is wonderful.