Politics, espionage, and . . . math?

The math is simple:  International intrigue + Wisconsin = Fast-paced fun.  Check out Matthew Flynn's newest book in the Bernie Weber series, Bernie Weber and the Riemann Hypothesis. Flynn's writing style is perfect for the genre, as he brings Midwestern culture and politics to life.  

Truth, doubt, and “whack-a-mole”

Before I can finish debunking one misconception about my studies on Wis. Jury Instruction 140 — studies available here and here — another misconception pops up.  It’s like playing a never-ending game of “whack-a-mole.”  It’s easy and virtually cost-free (in terms of time) for prosecutors and judges to launch these attacks.  But their criticisms are often so far off-base, or even bizarre, that it takes a lot of work to respond to them.  Pretty soon, however, I’ll have written so much on this topic I will simply be able to respond: “See law review article C, page six.”  Later this year I will publish the recently-completed Educating Judges and Lawyers on Social Science Research: A Case Study.  In it, I will address the latest set of attacks.  But if you just can’t wait — or if you can wait but you have a motion hearing coming up to modify J.I. 140 — you’ll find a bullet-point list debunking these new criticisms after the jump.