A Layman's Guide To Statistical Debate

Oftentimes, a person not well grounded in probability theory feels at a loss in making responses to recondite posts involving statistical analysis. This need not be so. Allow Ming to guide your faltering footsteps through this maze as follows:

1) Before composing your post, always first imbibe no less than a quart of Old Overholt. This will allow you to realize that you have many insightful thoughts to share.

2) Always remain keen to use technical terms such as alpha, P value, standard deviations, H.R. etc. Be sure to mix and match at random.

3) Insert Latin wherever remotely possible. Quid pro quo, ipso facto, inter alia, etc. This lends an aura of scholarship to your stupid argument.

4) Derogate your opponent at every opportunity by inserting meaningless phrases, such as "Let's not compare apples and oranges" or "That's neither here nor there".

5) Never forget that the last refuge of the ignorant is a good ad hominem attack(see #3 above) which is always in vogue. Ming's personal favorite is "Only a fool would think that".

6) Lastly, remember that people are always impressed by the strength of your convictions, rather than the content of your argument. So feel free to use invective, display anger and threaten the physical safety of your opponent.

Ming hopes to soon be marketing these insights and incites in C.D. format. Check your local T.V. listings under paid programming, always a good source of worthwhile information.