Though I may have misheard, I understand from tonight's news that
Jack Straw claimed a need for "greater precision" with regard to the
claim that Iraq could launch WMD within a 45 minute timeframe
With apologies to our metrology colleagues, I wondered what he really
wanted:
- greater precision, eg 45 +/- 0.1 min
- greater trueness, eg 44 min or 46 min
- greater accuracy, eg 44 - 46 min
- a stated uncertainty, eg 45 +/- 45 min
More seriously, however, why do we permit non-scientists to abuse (or
even pervert) scientific terminology - especially if it can then confuse the
population?
David
------ACB discussion List Information--------
This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry.
Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content.
ACB Web Site
http://www.acb.org.uk
Green Laboratories Work
http://www.laboratorymedicine.nhs.uk
List Archives
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html
List Instructions (How to leave etc.)
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/
|