Throwing Spaghetti at the Wall

In the traditional realm of parametric statistics, we were taught that the correct approach to building a statistical model of any sort was to follow the scientific method. You know, formulate a set of hypotheses about what independent factors might contribute to the...

The Perils of Projections

One of the great economists of the last century, John Kenneth Galbraith, once quipped that “the only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” The same can be said for pretty much anything that we foolishly insist on forecasting –...

Between County and Block Group

Between the county and block group levels – one too general, the other often too detailed. For many analytical tasks, an in-between layer is just what the doctor ordered. So, is there a goldilocks solution? There are four primary choices of standard geographies...

The Politicization of Census Data

Prior to the 2020 census, there was considerable debate about the politicization of the census through the proposed question on immigration status. The ultimate decision by the Supreme Court to disallow the question was largely because of the concern that the accuracy...

Does Money Make You Happy?

In the Panorama segmentation system, the most affluent segments are assigned to the lowest numbers with 01 One Percenters holding the top spot for affluence. Does money translate into happiness, or at least a better quality of life? To answer that question, we...