Yes or No
Always just answers
Now that you have your answer, look it up in the second column of the table. The text in that row corresponds to different outcomes, depending on the true answer. Of course, you do not know the true answer (if you did, you wouldn't be using our service), you are well on your way to solving your problem with our answer.
| universal best course of action | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yes | no | maybe | ||
| our answer | yes | Our methods have correctly determined that affirmative action is the correct route. Hold your course and reap the rewards. | This is a rare opportunity to experience what most do not attempt. We encourage you to be adventurous, daring, and cavalier. | The universe does not currently support experimental verification of this course of action. In its paradigm, quantum mechanics uses superposition of states, interpreted as both yes and no states simultaneously, but such states are not observables. Although we provide the answer for you, you must wait until the universe becomes compatible with these kinds of predictions. |
| no | While others may be tempted to act, we urge caution and healthy skepticism. This is a good time to stand back and reconsider or take up a new hobby. | General truths in this case are negative and you are certain to avoid them. Others will fail where you will persevere. Not to act is an action. | ||
| maybe | Although to us the answer is clear, the time is not right to reveal it. Consider your current situation and act accordingly. See this as a chance to gain perspective on an old problem. | You naturally wish to act, motivated by the momentum of past successes. Take caution. Looking in the rear view mirror can often tell you where you are going (not only when going backwards). | We cannot fit the explanation of this combination here. For the time being, you are to consider the probability of this combination infinitely small | |
This answer is stale — answers are good for only 5 minutes.
Never use a stale answer. Instead, consider getting a new answer — but make sure you first have a problem. Answers without problems cannot be retroactively applied.
For more details, see the about section.
Happy 2026 π Day—
Art for the 5%
Celebrate π Day (March 14th) and enjoy the art — but only if you're part of the 5%.
Go ahead, see what you can't see.
Ishihara's Tests for Colour Deficiency
Authentic and accurate images of Ishihara's test plates photographed (and lovingly color-corrected) from the 38-plate Ishihara's Tests for Colour Deficiency.
I also provide the position, size, and color of each circle on each test plate.
Symmetric alternatives to the ordinary least squares regression
What immortal hand or eye, could frame thy fearful symmetry? — William Blake, "The Tyger"
This month, we look at symmetric regression, which, unlike simple linear regression, it is reversible — remaining unaltered when the variables are swapped.
Simple linear regression can summarize the linear relationship between two variables `X` and `Y` — for example, when `Y` is considered the response (dependent) and `X` the predictor (independent) variable.
However, there are times when we are not interested (or able) to distinguish between dependent and independent variables — either because they have the same importance or the same role. This is where symmetric regression can help.
Luca Greco, George Luta, Martin Krzywinski & Naomi Altman (2025) Points of significance: Symmetric alternatives to the ordinary least squares regression. Nat. Methods 22:1610–1612.
Beyond Belief Campaign BRCA Art
Fuelled by philanthropy, findings into the workings of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have led to groundbreaking research and lifesaving innovations to care for families facing cancer.
This set of 100 one-of-a-kind prints explore the structure of these genes. Each artwork is unique — if you put them all together, you get the full sequence of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins.
Propensity score weighting
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. —Mr. Spock (Star Trek II)
This month, we explore a related and powerful technique to address bias: propensity score weighting (PSW), which applies weights to each subject instead of matching (or discarding) them.
Kurz, C.F., Krzywinski, M. & Altman, N. (2025) Points of significance: Propensity score weighting. Nat. Methods 22:638–640.