From the author of Zero, comes this "admirable salvo against quantitative bamboozlement by the media and the government" (The Boston Globe) In Zero, Charles Seife presented readers with a thrilling account of the strangest number known to humankind. Now he shows readers how the power of skewed metrics-or "proofiness"- is being used to alter perception in both amusing and dangerous ways. Proofiness is behind such bizarre stories as a mathematical formula for the perfect butt and sprinters who can run faster than the speed of sound. But proofiness also has a dark side: bogus mathematical formulas used to undermine our democracy-subverting our justice system, fixing elections, and swaying public opinion with lies. By doing the real math, Seife elegantly and good-humoredly scrutinizes our growing obsession with metrics while exposing those who misuse them.
- ISBN:
- 9780143120070
- 9780143120070
-
Category:
- History of mathematics
- Age range:
- + years old
- Format:
- Paperback
- Publication Date:
-
27-09-2011
- Language:
- English
- Publisher:
- Penguin Publishing Group
- Country of origin:
- United States
- Dimensions (mm):
- 200.66x132.08x15.24mm
- Weight:
- 0.27kg
Click 'Notify Me' to get an email alert when this item becomes available
Hi There,
Did you know that you can save books into your library to create gift lists, reading lists, etc?
You can also mark books that you're reading, or want to read.
Great!
Click on Save to My Library / Lists
Select the List you'd like to categorise as, or add your own
Here you can mark if you have read this book, reading it or want to read
Awesome! You added your first item into your Library
Great! The fun begins.
Click on My Library / My Lists and I will take you there
Reviews
Be the first to review Proofiness.
Share This Book: