Skeptics in the Pub

Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics!

If you trust statistics, you could be 100 per cent wrong! Education expert Martin Levins reveals the tricky techniques that trample the Truth in his witty presentation titled Statistics: Because 73% of People Believe Any Number with a Percentage.

Statistics can strangle Truth, Armidale Skeptics will be shown when education expert Martin Levins’ puts a chokehold on the manipulative, deceptive techniques commonly used to produce facts.  “I will show some amusing examples,” Martin promises, “But it is no laughing matter.” Taking a lead from the well-known saying “Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics”, he will take a skeptical view of how easily and dangerously Truth can be compromised and will show how to identify this using careful observation and critical thinking skills.

Martin lectures at the UNE’s School of Education in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics team and considers critical thinking to be the primary task of all teachers. He will give real-life examples of how statistics can be manipulated to distort, exaggerate, or obscure reality.

* Skeptics In The Pub is a volunteer-run community event affiliated with Australian Skeptics Inc which promotes critical thinking, reason, logic and the scientific method.

Doors open at 5.30pm to order drinks and gourmet pizza.