Stats.org presents their list of Worst

Stats.org presents their list of Worst Science Stories of 2007. Topping the list: San Francisco’s confusion of phthalates with polyethylene terephthalate, which resulted in a ban on plastic water bottles. Gosh yes, I make that mistake all the time too! (via Romenesko)

Update: Okay, lots of mail about Stats and how they’re some secret evil thinktank that takes scary libertarian money. Well, that’s true! Here’s from the editor of Stats, Trevor Butterworth: “STATS is, like CMPA, an affiliate of GMU. But as I live in New York, and write about whatever I want, so what? Yes, the University’s Mercatus Center is a citadel of free market economic theory - and again, no big secret there. Do I do Mercatus’s bidding or take industry money. No. Does STATS take industry money? It’s not our policy. We’re sure as hell not rich. And we are affiliated with the Communications department and the math department. Make of that what you will. As for chemical exposure, it’s the topic of the year - and one that is riddled with error. The rest of the worst stories concern sex, race, and drugs.” Disclosure: I have been out for a drink with Trevor one time.

• science
• stats
• yearinreview

In 2007, 30-year-old New York City-based graphic designer

In 2007, 30-year-old New York City-based graphic designer Nicholas Felton had 58 vacation days, performed 2 karaoke songs, spent 4.7 days on planes, read 26% more book pages than he did in 2006, ran 190.5 miles, and thought Josh & Ellen’s wedding was the best of the year. You may view his annual report here; the print version costs a mere $5 and ships in February. In this year’s report, just as in his 2006 report, Felton noted he may have consumed alcoholic drinks that went unrecorded. CHEATER.

• metrics
• nicholasfelton
• reports
• yearinreview