John wrote:
> At 10:37 AM 11/13/00 -0600, Adam wrote:
> > Similarly, considering the number of recounts in close elections over
> >the last 200-odd years, it's unsurprising that Gore might get "hit by
> >lightning" this time.
>
> That's not exactly true, Adam - remember there is no law of averages.
> Thus, just because odds are that one person out of one million will one a
> lottery - it is still very surprising when the one millionth person does
> win the lottery.
I never referred to the "law of averages".
It's only surprising if you're watching that one person. If you're watching
the population as a whole, it's quite different.
And I still contend that elections are not as subject to random chance as
lightning strikes or lottery winnings.
Adam Lipscomb
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ# 32384792
