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Mathematics

This excellent guide to the science of uncertainty is very welcome

Adam Kucharski's new book Proof is a life raft in a sea of fake news and misinformation

19 March 2025

TOPSHOT - A passenger wearing a protective face mask waits for his train at Hua Lamphong Central Railway Station in Bangkok on January 4, 2021, as health officials in Thailand announced on Monday 745 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases, the country's highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) (Photo by MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty Images) — East Asian countries’ longtime mask-wearing has value as evidence of their effectiveness
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty Images

Proof
Adam Kucharski (Profile Books (UK) Basic Books (US, 6 May))

I have something of a reputation as a party-pooper in the New Scientist office. At our weekly meeting to discuss the latest and greatest ideas in science, colleagues will eagerly describe some incredible new theory or spectacular find, then sit back to field questions. I can already hear the groans before I open my mouth to say: “Yes, but what is the actual evidence?”

I don’t do this because I enjoy shooting down ideas (OK, maybe I do…

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