http://odeo.com/channels/636613-More-or-Less-Behind-the-Stats no More or Less makes sense of the numbers that surround us and that rule our world. With wit, freshness and simplicity Tim Harford shows the genuine significance of statistics, productivity, performance indicators, measurements and quantification of every kind. We all use numbers in so many ways to argue about, understand, help make sense of the world around us. More or Less hopes to make that task easier, more entertaining, more surprising. This half-hour programme is broadcast at 1330 on Friday afternoons and repeated at 2000 on Sundays on Radio 4. More or Less makes sense of the numbers that surround us and that rule our world. With wit, freshness and simplicity Tim Harford shows the genuine significance of statistics, productivity, performance indicators, measurements and quantification of every kind. We all use numbers in so many ways to argue about, understand, help make sense of the world around us. More or Less hopes to make that task easier, more entertaining, more surprising. This half-hour programme is broadcast at 1330 on Friday afternoons and repeated at 2000 on Sundays on Radio 4. More or Less makes sense of the numbers that surround us and that rule our world. With wit, freshness and simplicity Tim Harford shows the genuine significance of statistics, productivity, performance indicators, measurements and quantification of every kind. We all use numbers in so many ways to argue about, understand, help make sense of the world around us. More or Less hopes to make that task easier, more entertaining, more surprising. This half-hour programme is broadcast at 1330 on Friday afternoons and repeated at 2000 on Sundays on Radio 4. en-gb 40 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700 Politics http://odeo.com/episodes/25107450-Blowing-cold-then-hot-11-Sep-2009 Why is it harder to predict the climate in 2050 than 2020? Tim Harford investigates reports saying the world will cool over the next two decades before global warming resumes. The More or Less team examine a claim that beautiful people have more daughters. And they use maths to decode a Beatles musical mystery. Why is it harder to predict the climate in 2050 than 2020? Tim Harford investigates reports saying the world will cool over the next two decades before global warming resumes. The More or Less team examine a claim that beautiful people have more daughters. And they use maths to decode a Beatles musical mystery. Why is it harder to predict the climate in 2050 than 2020? Tim Harford investigates reports saying the world will cool over the next two decades before global warming resumes. The More or Less team examine a claim that beautiful people have more daughters. And they use maths to decode a Beatles musical mystery. tag:odeo.com,2009-09-11,25107450 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/25071856-MoreOrLess-Junk-Maths-04-Sep-09 Tim Harford talks to Simon Singh, who gently rails against equations - from the perfect joke to the perfect penalty kick - reported in the media. And the team investigate widely-reported estimates of the number of people who illegally share files on the internet. Tim Harford talks to Simon Singh, who gently rails against equations - from the perfect joke to the perfect penalty kick - reported in the media. And the team investigate widely-reported estimates of the number of people who illegally share files on the internet. Tim Harford talks to Simon Singh, who gently rails against equations - from the perfect joke to the perfect penalty kick - reported in the media. And the team investigate widely-reported estimates of the number of people who illegally share files on the internet. tag:odeo.com,2009-09-04,25071856 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/25036417-MoreOrLess-280809 Tim Harford and the team investigate whether Britain’s record on prosecuting rape is as bad as headlines suggest. And they find out whether it’s really the case that a graduate can expect to earn far more than a non-graduate Tim Harford and the team investigate whether Britain’s record on prosecuting rape is as bad as headlines suggest. And they find out whether it’s really the case that a graduate can expect to earn far more than a non-graduate Tim Harford and the team investigate whether Britain’s record on prosecuting rape is as bad as headlines suggest. And they find out whether it’s really the case that a graduate can expect to earn far more than a non-graduate tag:odeo.com,2009-08-28,25036417 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:40:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/24998664-MoreOrLess-21082009 Tim Harford tests the reliability of the data on swine flu and asks are A Levels really getting easier? Tim Harford tests the reliability of the data on swine flu and asks are A Levels really getting easier? Tim Harford tests the reliability of the data on swine flu and asks are A Levels really getting easier? tag:odeo.com,2009-08-21,24998664 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:45:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/24960738-MoreOrLess-Who-governs-Britain-14-Aug-09 Does 75 per cent of UK law come from Brussels - as eurosceptics say? Or just nine per cent - as europhiles would have you believe? Presenter Tim Harford goes in search of the real statistic. Does 75 per cent of UK law come from Brussels - as eurosceptics say? Or just nine per cent - as europhiles would have you believe? Presenter Tim Harford goes in search of the real statistic. Does 75 per cent of UK law come from Brussels - as eurosceptics say? Or just nine per cent - as europhiles would have you believe? Presenter Tim Harford goes in search of the real statistic. tag:odeo.com,2009-08-14,24960738 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/24924061-MoreOrLess-Tx-7-Aug-09 In 39 years France will be a Muslim Republic. True? In More or Less this week, Tim Harford investigates statistics which some claim reveal the ?Islamification? of Europe. And he??ll be checking whether the Home Office has been doing its sums properly and do its claims about the DNA Database really add up? Producer: Ruth Alexander Editor: Richard Vadon In 39 years France will be a Muslim Republic. True? In More or Less this week, Tim Harford investigates statistics which some claim reveal the ?Islamification? of Europe. And he??ll be checking whether the Home Office has been doing its sums properly and do its claims about the DNA Database really add up? Producer: Ruth Alexander Editor: Richard Vadon In 39 years France will be a Muslim Republic. True? In More or Less this week, Tim Harford investigates statistics which some claim reveal the ?Islamification? of Europe. And he??ll be checking whether the Home Office has been doing its sums properly and do its claims about the DNA Database really add up? Producer: Ruth Alexander Editor: Richard Vadon tag:odeo.com,2009-08-07,24924061 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/24595980-MoreOrLess-Marginally-honest-22-May-09 A blogger's surprising claims about MPs’ expenses and a professor's football forecast. And the European elections: Why a Brit's vote carries less weight than a Luxembourger's. A blogger's surprising claims about MPs’ expenses and a professor's football forecast. And the European elections: Why a Brit's vote carries less weight than a Luxembourger's. A blogger's surprising claims about MPs’ expenses and a professor's football forecast. And the European elections: Why a Brit's vote carries less weight than a Luxembourger's. tag:odeo.com,2009-05-22,24595980 Fri, 22 May 2009 06:00:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/24554363-MoreOrLess-Domestic-violence-15-May-09 We examine a domestic violence statistic and reports that the recession is hitting white-collar workers hardest. Plus: Another slice of pi. We examine a domestic violence statistic and reports that the recession is hitting white-collar workers hardest. Plus: Another slice of pi. We examine a domestic violence statistic and reports that the recession is hitting white-collar workers hardest. Plus: Another slice of pi. tag:odeo.com,2009-05-15,24554363 Fri, 15 May 2009 06:00:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/24522982-MoreOrLess-Flu-conomics-01-May-09 From swine flu to longevity: A look at numbers in the news. Plus: What are the odds of hearing a radio traffic report relevant to your journey? And "The Formula of Doom". From swine flu to longevity: A look at numbers in the news. Plus: What are the odds of hearing a radio traffic report relevant to your journey? And "The Formula of Doom". From swine flu to longevity: A look at numbers in the news. Plus: What are the odds of hearing a radio traffic report relevant to your journey? And "The Formula of Doom". tag:odeo.com,2009-05-01,24522982 Fri, 01 May 2009 06:00:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/24496267-MoreOrLess-Counting-the-Kilowatts-24-Apr-09 We examine the arithmetic behind sustainable energy, ask if putting in 100% effort is enough and declare a dictatorship to try to explain the national debt. We examine the arithmetic behind sustainable energy, ask if putting in 100% effort is enough and declare a dictatorship to try to explain the national debt. We examine the arithmetic behind sustainable energy, ask if putting in 100% effort is enough and declare a dictatorship to try to explain the national debt. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-24,24496267 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:00:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/24463258-MoreOrLess-The-price-of-prohibition-17-Apr-09 Presenter Tim Harford investigates the numbers behind the drug legalisation debate, tests a former Home Secretary's maths and finds out why drowning cats can help explain the credit crunch. Presenter Tim Harford investigates the numbers behind the drug legalisation debate, tests a former Home Secretary's maths and finds out why drowning cats can help explain the credit crunch. Presenter Tim Harford investigates the numbers behind the drug legalisation debate, tests a former Home Secretary's maths and finds out why drowning cats can help explain the credit crunch. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-17,24463258 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:31:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/24461981-MoreOrLess-The-price-of-prohibition-17-Apr-09 Presenter Tim Harford investigates the numbers behind the drug legalisation debate, tests a former Home Secretary's maths and finds out why drowning cats can help explain the credit crunch. Presenter Tim Harford investigates the numbers behind the drug legalisation debate, tests a former Home Secretary's maths and finds out why drowning cats can help explain the credit crunch. Presenter Tim Harford investigates the numbers behind the drug legalisation debate, tests a former Home Secretary's maths and finds out why drowning cats can help explain the credit crunch. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-17,24461981 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:30:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/23926971-MoreOrLess-23-Jan-2009 The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the figures behind fertility, statistical significance and what is a recession? The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the figures behind fertility, statistical significance and what is a recession? The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the figures behind fertility, statistical significance and what is a recession? tag:odeo.com,2009-01-23,23926971 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:30:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/23886638-MoreOrLess-16-Jan-2009 The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: Charles Clarke MP, Fraser Nelson and Vince Cable MP join Tim in the studio for a politics special. The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: Charles Clarke MP, Fraser Nelson and Vince Cable MP join Tim in the studio for a politics special. The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: Charles Clarke MP, Fraser Nelson and Vince Cable MP join Tim in the studio for a politics special. tag:odeo.com,2009-01-16,23886638 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:30:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/23849681-MoreOrLess-9-Jan-2009 The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the statistics on prostitution, Babylonian numbers and more maths of the credit crunch. The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the statistics on prostitution, Babylonian numbers and more maths of the credit crunch. The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the statistics on prostitution, Babylonian numbers and more maths of the credit crunch. tag:odeo.com,2009-01-09,23849681 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:30:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/23827556-MoreOrLess-2-Jan-2009 The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the accuracy of professional forecasts, the Lake Wobegon effect and what is an average wage? The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the accuracy of professional forecasts, the Lake Wobegon effect and what is an average wage? The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the accuracy of professional forecasts, the Lake Wobegon effect and what is an average wage? tag:odeo.com,2009-01-02,23827556 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:30:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/23813605-MoreOrLess-26-Dec-2008 The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: TV presenter Konnie Huq and comedian Dave Gorman take part in a numbers quiz. Plus,is Christmas really the time for divorce? The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: TV presenter Konnie Huq and comedian Dave Gorman take part in a numbers quiz. Plus,is Christmas really the time for divorce? The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: TV presenter Konnie Huq and comedian Dave Gorman take part in a numbers quiz. Plus,is Christmas really the time for divorce? tag:odeo.com,2008-12-26,23813605 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:32:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/23779234-MoreOrLess-Behind-the-Stats-19-Dec-08 The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the maths of Strictly Come Dancing scoring; imperial measures; financial derivatives; child obesity figures; and government stats on knife crime. The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the maths of Strictly Come Dancing scoring; imperial measures; financial derivatives; child obesity figures; and government stats on knife crime. The numbers behind the news with presenter Tim Harford. This week: the maths of Strictly Come Dancing scoring; imperial measures; financial derivatives; child obesity figures; and government stats on knife crime. tag:odeo.com,2008-12-19,23779234 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/23744425-MoreOrLess-Behind-the-Stats-12-Dec-08 Presenter Tim Harford considers the risks of eating Irish sausages contaminated with dioxin; why the latest retail sales figures are not as bad as the retailers' make them sound; the quirks of British street numbering; and he witnesses the most important numbers in the world being calculated: the London Interbank Offered Rate - LIBOR. Presenter Tim Harford considers the risks of eating Irish sausages contaminated with dioxin; why the latest retail sales figures are not as bad as the retailers' make them sound; the quirks of British street numbering; and he witnesses the most important numbers in the world being calculated: the London Interbank Offered Rate - LIBOR. Presenter Tim Harford considers the risks of eating Irish sausages contaminated with dioxin; why the latest retail sales figures are not as bad as the retailers' make them sound; the quirks of British street numbering; and he witnesses the most important numbers in the world being calculated: the London Interbank Offered Rate - LIBOR. tag:odeo.com,2008-12-12,23744425 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/23710774-MoreOrLess-Behind-the-Stats-05-Dec-08 The maths of the credit crunch; the real value of the recent VAT cut; are 10% of girls really victims of the most serious sexual abuse; is fishing more dangerous than boxing; and how popular management science ignores "the halo effect". The maths of the credit crunch; the real value of the recent VAT cut; are 10% of girls really victims of the most serious sexual abuse; is fishing more dangerous than boxing; and how popular management science ignores "the halo effect". The maths of the credit crunch; the real value of the recent VAT cut; are 10% of girls really victims of the most serious sexual abuse; is fishing more dangerous than boxing; and how popular management science ignores "the halo effect". tag:odeo.com,2008-12-05,23710774 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/23727799-MoreOrLess-Behind-the-Stats-05-Dec-08 The maths of the credit crunch; the real value of the recent VAT cut; are 10% of girls really victims of the most serious sexual abuse; is fishing more dangerous than boxing; and how popular management science ignores 'the halo effect'. The maths of the credit crunch; the real value of the recent VAT cut; are 10% of girls really victims of the most serious sexual abuse; is fishing more dangerous than boxing; and how popular management science ignores 'the halo effect'. The maths of the credit crunch; the real value of the recent VAT cut; are 10% of girls really victims of the most serious sexual abuse; is fishing more dangerous than boxing; and how popular management science ignores 'the halo effect'. tag:odeo.com,2008-12-05,23727799 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/22558201-MoreOrLess-How-are-drugs-street-value-calculated-26-May-2008 This week: how the police and courts determine the street value of illegal drugs. Plus, dozens of towns in the UK claim to have the most pubs per head of population – but there can only be one with a valid claim on the title. After a search which has lasted weeks, Tim Harford finally announces the More or Less official winner! This week: how the police and courts determine the street value of illegal drugs. Plus, dozens of towns in the UK claim to have the most pubs per head of population – but there can only be one with a valid claim on the title. After a search which has lasted weeks, Tim Harford finally announces the More or Less official winner! This week: how the police and courts determine the street value of illegal drugs. Plus, dozens of towns in the UK claim to have the most pubs per head of population – but there can only be one with a valid claim on the title. After a search which has lasted weeks, Tim Harford finally announces the More or Less official winner! tag:odeo.com,2008-05-27,22558201 Tue, 27 May 2008 05:58:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/22526052-MoreOrLess-Do-doctors-strikes-save-lives-19-May-2008 Have you heard that when doctors strike, the death rate goes down? Is the risk of epidemics after natural disasters being over-hyped? We meet one of the most controversial figures in statistics and high finance: Nassim Taleb, author of "The Black Swan", and investigate the maths of Eurovision... Have you heard that when doctors strike, the death rate goes down? Is the risk of epidemics after natural disasters being over-hyped? We meet one of the most controversial figures in statistics and high finance: Nassim Taleb, author of "The Black Swan", and investigate the maths of Eurovision... Have you heard that when doctors strike, the death rate goes down? Is the risk of epidemics after natural disasters being over-hyped? We meet one of the most controversial figures in statistics and high finance: Nassim Taleb, author of "The Black Swan", and investigate the maths of Eurovision... tag:odeo.com,2008-05-19,22526052 Mon, 19 May 2008 08:30:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/22509142-MoreOrLess-Going-to-waste-05-May-2008 Can it be true that we throw away a third of the food that we buy? Is CCTV failing to cut crime? How reliable are internet polls? And find out why 400,000 votes were rejected in the London mayoral election count. Can it be true that we throw away a third of the food that we buy? Is CCTV failing to cut crime? How reliable are internet polls? And find out why 400,000 votes were rejected in the London mayoral election count. Can it be true that we throw away a third of the food that we buy? Is CCTV failing to cut crime? How reliable are internet polls? And find out why 400,000 votes were rejected in the London mayoral election count. tag:odeo.com,2008-05-12,22509142 Mon, 12 May 2008 08:35:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/22483481-MoreOrLess The More or Less team explain why you might need a degree in Maths to the get all the jokes in the Simpsons. Plus, does research really show that workplace stress can cause heart attacks. The More or Less team explain why you might need a degree in Maths to the get all the jokes in the Simpsons. Plus, does research really show that workplace stress can cause heart attacks. The More or Less team explain why you might need a degree in Maths to the get all the jokes in the Simpsons. Plus, does research really show that workplace stress can cause heart attacks. tag:odeo.com,2008-05-05,22483481 Mon, 05 May 2008 08:30:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/22462600-MoreOrLess-Has-global-warming-peaked-28-Apr-2008 This week: has global warming stopped? Which UK town has the most pubs? And is a study suggesting a link between eating cereal and giving birth to a boy statistically sound? Plus, we meet the number crunchers who say that Hillary Clinton’s chances of winning the Democratic nomination have just gone from slim to zero. This week: has global warming stopped? Which UK town has the most pubs? And is a study suggesting a link between eating cereal and giving birth to a boy statistically sound? Plus, we meet the number crunchers who say that Hillary Clinton’s chances of winning the Democratic nomination have just gone from slim to zero. This week: has global warming stopped? Which UK town has the most pubs? And is a study suggesting a link between eating cereal and giving birth to a boy statistically sound? Plus, we meet the number crunchers who say that Hillary Clinton’s chances of winning the Democratic nomination have just gone from slim to zero. tag:odeo.com,2008-04-28,22462600 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:30:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/22443395-MoreOrLess-What-is-your-real-rate-of-inflation-21-Apr-2008 Media reports claim EU migrants are causing UK crime rates to go up, and down. Presenter Tim Harford tries to find out which is true. Plus, what is your real rate of inflation? And, mathematician Marcus du Sautoy brings a heady mix of music, dance, sculpture and maths to the programme. Media reports claim EU migrants are causing UK crime rates to go up, and down. Presenter Tim Harford tries to find out which is true. Plus, what is your real rate of inflation? And, mathematician Marcus du Sautoy brings a heady mix of music, dance, sculpture and maths to the programme. Media reports claim EU migrants are causing UK crime rates to go up, and down. Presenter Tim Harford tries to find out which is true. Plus, what is your real rate of inflation? And, mathematician Marcus du Sautoy brings a heady mix of music, dance, sculpture and maths to the programme. tag:odeo.com,2008-04-21,22443395 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:45:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/22418023-MoreOrLess-Teaching-quality-and-peer-effects-14-April-2008 Can numbers tell you whether it matters what sort of school your child goes to? Plus, how Dungeons and Dragons helped promote mental arithmetic. Can numbers tell you whether it matters what sort of school your child goes to? Plus, how Dungeons and Dragons helped promote mental arithmetic. Can numbers tell you whether it matters what sort of school your child goes to? Plus, how Dungeons and Dragons helped promote mental arithmetic. tag:odeo.com,2008-04-14,22418023 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/22402605-MoreOrLess-Understanding-drug-trials-07-Apr-2008 More or Less investigates the effectiveness of anti-depressants. Plus, why do we attach significance to certain numbers? More or Less investigates the effectiveness of anti-depressants. Plus, why do we attach significance to certain numbers? More or Less investigates the effectiveness of anti-depressants. Plus, why do we attach significance to certain numbers? tag:odeo.com,2008-04-07,22402605 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:30:00 -0700 no More or Less: Behind the Stats http://odeo.com/episodes/17335503-MoreOrLess-12-Nov-07 tag:odeo.com,2007-11-12,17335503 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:30:00 -0800 no More or Less: Behind the Stats