More or Less: Behind the Stats
BBC Radio 4
Tim Harford and the More or Less team try to make sense of the statistics which surround us. From BBC Radio 4
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 8, 2015 • 9min
WS MoreOrLess: Climate Change
Ruth Alexander investigates claims climate change has contributed to the war in Syria, and with the climate change summit COP21 underway in Paris, we answer listener’s climate change number questions.
Nov 27, 2015 • 10min
WS MoreOrLess: '‘Sympathy’ for jihadis
Investigating the accuracy of a tabloid claim that one in five British Muslims sympathize with jihadis. Exploring the controversy, survey complexities, and global views on ISIS. Factors influencing attitudes towards ISIS in various countries, despite low actual approval rates.
Nov 20, 2015 • 10min
WS MoreOrLess: Has Islamic State been Losing Territory?
Explore the territorial losses of Islamic State and question the accuracy of reported stats. Discover if Héctor Bellerín is faster than Usain Bolt in a sprint challenge. Uncover insights into player speed statistics in the Premier League using tracking systems.
Nov 13, 2015 • 10min
WS MoreOrLess: Creativity and Mental Illness
Are creative people more likely to suffer mental illness, and has Cuba wiped out child hunger? Wesley Stephenson investigates.
Nov 6, 2015 • 10min
WS MoreOrLess: China's One Child Policy
Exploring the impact of China's one child policy on population growth, addressing controversies around forced abortions, and comparing population projections of China and India for 2030.
Oct 30, 2015 • 10min
WS MoreOrLess: Processed Meat and Cancer
Investigating the cancer-causing potential of processed meats compared to cigarettes, while discussing the implications of an 18% increase in bowel cancer risk. Debating the safety of the Rugby World Cup and analyzing injury rates between rugby and football, aiming to improve player safety in rugby by adopting measures from football tournaments.
Oct 23, 2015 • 10min
WS MoreOrLess: Oil
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari said a million barrels of the country’s oil were stolen per day. Is he right? Ruth Alexander asks Peter Cunliffe-Jones of Africa Check. And, does 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil lie in the Arctic? Producers: Keith Moore and Phoebe Keane.
Oct 16, 2015 • 9min
WS MoreOrLess: Foreign Aid: More Harm Than Good?
Nobel Prize winning economist Angus Deaton discusses the impact of foreign aid, skepticism around its sustainability, and the relationship between money and happiness. Insights include the need to enhance the Global Public Goods Agenda and the nuanced connection between income and well-being.
Oct 9, 2015 • 10min
WS MoreOrLess: Are Tall People More Likely to Get Cancer?
Exploring the link between height and cancer risk, discussing findings from studies analyzing over 5 million records. Delving into the correlation between height, hormones, and cell count in relation to cancer risk. Calculating a 9% higher risk of skin cancer for taller individuals. Discussing the impact of childhood health on adult health and the relationship between height, heart disease, and social class.
Oct 2, 2015 • 10min
WS MoreOrLess: Football’s Red Card Cliché
Managers and pundits often say “it’s harder to play against ten men”, but is there any truth in it? Also, Tim Harford speaks to the author Siobhan Roberts about Professor John Conway, who has been described as a genius and one of the world’s most charismatic mathematicians. Producers: Keith Moore and Wesley Stephenson
