We live in a world of information overload. Facts and figures on absolutely everything are at our fingertips, but are too often biased, distorted, or outright lies. From unemployment figures to voting polls, IQ tests to divorce rates, we're bombarded by seemingly plausible statistics on how people live and what they think. Daniel Levitin teaches us how to effectively ask ourselves: can we really know that? And how do they know that?

In this eye-opening, accessible guide filled with fascinating examples and practical takeaways, acclaimed neuroscientist Daniel Levitin shows us how learning to understand statistics will enable you to make better, smarter judgements on the world around you.

Contents: Introduction: Thinking, critically --
Plausibility --
Fun with averages --
Axis shenanigans --
Hijinks with how numbers are reported --
How numbers are collected --
Probabilities --
How do we know? --
Identifying expertise --
Overlooked, undervalued alternative explanations --
Counterknowledge --
How science works --
Logical fallacies --
Knowing what you don't know --
Bayesian thinking in science and in court --
Four case studies --
Conclusion: Discovering your own --
Appendix: Application of Bayes' Rule.