Eleven Dead Researchers: Statistics Shows Why Clusters Are Normal (heise.de)

• Eleven US researchers dead or missing spark conspiracy theories.
• Statisticians say cluster is within normal variation.
• Human intuition sees patterns where none exist (apophenia).
• Article warns against jumping to conclusions without data.

"A spate of eleven researchers found dead or missing in the United States has sparked online speculation about foul play or a targeted campaign. However, statisticians point out that such clusters are not unusual given the large number of researchers working in high-risk environments. The human brain tends to see patterns in random events, a phenomenon known as apophenia. This particular cluster, while tragic, falls within expected statistical variation. The article emphasizes that intuition often misleads us, and the numbers themselves do not support a sinister interpretation. It serves as a case study in how to interpret rare events without jumping to conclusions."