Live data from Hacker News

Visualizing Bayes' theorem

blog.oscarbonilla.com

1–10 of 15 posts

Re: Visualizing Bayes' theorem

#2
I just skimmed the article, having received treatments of Bayes' theorem many times over the course of my almost-finished college career; however, I think this is neat, because making use of visualization/imagery is a good approach to teaching and understanding statistics, which the human brain is (typically) not capable of handling well.

Re: Visualizing Bayes' theorem

#4
I have always visualized probability and conditional probabilities in terms of Venn diagrams, it is easier to understand stuff this way. I think this is _the_ best way to teach probability to a beginner. What do you think ?!

Re: Visualizing Bayes' theorem

#7

I have always visualized probability and conditional probabilities in terms of Venn diagrams, it is easier to understand stuff this way. I think this is _the_ best way to teach probability to a beginner. What do you think ?!

I am reminded of something I read in Isaac Asimov's book on astronomy, where he talked about his great idea for how to visualize the size of distant objects and how lamentable it was that people don't use his obviously superior method.

I stared at the pages unable to comprehend how he thought the size of a penny held a mile away was easier to visualise than the alternative.

Likewise Eliezer's "Intuitive" explanation of Bayesianity - I've read through it twice (lightly) and it's thoroughly not intuitive. I'd need to study it not just read it.

Presumably there is some distance from my current mental state vector to any with a comfortable grasp of Bayesian probability, and some explanations will take a quick route and some a less direct one. Hence, I think there are different 'best' explanations for different people depending on what they already know, what they want to know and what they want to touch upon along the way.

I'm skeptical that there is one "_the_ best way" to teach probability, or anything else.

Re: Visualizing Bayes' theorem

#8

I have always visualized probability and conditional probabilities in terms of Venn diagrams, it is easier to understand stuff this way. I think this is _the_ best way to teach probability to a beginner. What do you think ?!

I am reminded of something I read in Isaac Asimov's book on astronomy, where he talked about his great idea for how to visualize the size of distant objects and how lamentable it was that people don't use his obviously superior method. I stared at the pages unable to comprehend how he thought the size of a penny held a mile away was easier to visualise than the alternative. Likewise Eliezer's "Intuitive" explanation…

I think, for a majority of people, it would be an easier way to study probability. Visualization makes things much more understandable than algebraic formula derivation.

Re: Visualizing Bayes' theorem

#9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am reminded of something I read in Isaac Asimov's book on astronomy, where he talked about his great idea for how to visualize the size of distant objects and how lamentable it was that people don't use his obviously superior method. I stared at the pages unable to comprehend how he thought the size of a penny held a mile away was easier to visualise than the alternative. Likewise Eliezer's "Intuitive" explanation…

I think, for a majority of people, it would be an easier way to study probability. Visualization makes things much more understandable than algebraic formula derivation.

Visualization makes things much more understandable

Does it? Are you http://lesswrong.com/lw/dr/generalizing_from_one_example/ ?

Re: Visualizing Bayes' theorem

#10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think, for a majority of people, it would be an easier way to study probability. Visualization makes things much more understandable than algebraic formula derivation.

Visualization makes things much more understandable Does it? Are you http://lesswrong.com/lw/dr/generalizing_from_one_example/ ?

Very interesting link. After reading that I think I may be generalizing from my own example. So I'll keep an open mind - thanks.
Post reply on HN