Random Thoughts Thread

[beefytee]

I think Utah's SAT average might be inflated because only top students headed for out-of-state universities take it. I don't know whether Idaho emphasizes the ACT like Utah does.

Of course the opposite is true of Utah's ACT scores. Utah's will be generally lower because all high school students take it. States where only prospective college students take it will be higher.

I've heard that Utah has the highest ACT average of states that require the ACT in high school.

[Scott R Nelson]

Really weird to have that much disparity between Utah and Idaho. I wonder why.

It's partly because of the arbitrary scoring system that they used. Idaho got better on the ACT number than Utah. It was quite a bit better than Oklahoma on all but the Adjusted high school graduation rate and better in all but Median SAT than New Mexico. They listed what they judged the states on, but not how important each of the four categories were. Definitely not 25% each.

Details here: https://www.safehome.org/smartest-americans/

I was wondering if I would have to think of my neighbors as a bunch of dummies, but I'll reserve that for the people publishing the test at safehome.org.

[Pelado]

It's partly because of the arbitrary scoring system that they used. Idaho got better on the ACT number than Utah. It was quite a bit better than Oklahoma on all but the Adjusted high school graduation rate and better in all but Median SAT than New Mexico. They listed what they judged the states on, but not how important each of the four categories were. Definitely not 25% each.

Details here: https://www.safehome.org/smartest-americans/

I was wondering if I would have to think of my neighbors as a bunch of dummies, but I'll reserve that for the people publishing the test at safehome.org.

What's driving down the Idaho scores are all you California transplants who can't read through the end of the methodology section to see how they weighted each category:

In those eight total categories, each state was ranked from best to worst and a numerical value was assigned (51-1). Our formula more heavily weighted educational attainment than test scores in an effort to help adjust for differences in things like bias in standardized testing or availability of test prep. Rankings for four-year and graduate degrees was rated at double their value, while rankings for high school graduation was weighted at 1.5 times its value. SAT score rankings were weighted at half their value, and ACT score rankings carried one-quarter of their value.

[clackamascoug]

Idaho borders Utah (#2) Montana (#5) and Oregon (#9). You have to be a special kind of dumb to be 200 points lower than your bordering neighbors. But then - everyone from Idaho I know seems to support the ranking, or else why would the live there?

[Bo Diddley]

Jimmy Carter is recovering from surgery the other day to relieve pressure from bleeding on his brain. I hope he will recover well. On my bucket list is attending one of his Sunday School classes. Not sure I'll get to this one soon enough.

[Scott R Nelson]

If YouTube knows which videos I've watched and the kinds of videos I like to watch, why can't they figure out that I've already seen that annoying GoodRx.com ad at least fifty times already? At least the Grammarly ads change once in a while.

[Donuthole]

If YouTube knows which videos I've watched and the kinds of videos I like to watch, why can't they figure out that I've already seen that annoying GoodRx.com ad at least fifty times already? At least the Grammarly ads change once in a while.

YouTube knows you are old and are thus a prime target for potential savings on prescription medication.

[frank ryan]

YouTube knows you are old and are thus a prime target for potential savings on prescription medication.

GoodRX is legit if you don't have insurance. It's like a service that compiles manufacturers for drugs. Won't help those on Medicare though.

[Scott R Nelson]

GoodRX is legit if you don't have insurance. It's like a service that compiles manufacturers for drugs. Won't help those on Medicare though.

There are other companies that I like too, but after seeing their ad 30 or 40 times at the front of YouTube videos I like them less.

[SeattleUte]

There are a lot of ludicrous sounding bowl game names. None worse than Idaho Famous Potatoes. It's all like a parody of capitalism. Kind of embarrassing.

[SCcoug]

There are a lot of ludicrous sounding bowl game names. None worse than Idaho Famous Potatoes. It's all like a parody of capitalism. Kind of embarrassing.

Disagree that it's the worst.

Camping World Bowl
LendingTree Bowl
Redbox Bowl
Cheez-It Bowl
Quick Lane Bowl

Not to mention other bowls who's title sponsor crowds out the actual bowl name like the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl or TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

[Scott R Nelson]

There are a lot of ludicrous sounding bowl game names. None worse than Idaho Famous Potatoes. It's all like a parody of capitalism. Kind of embarrassing.

Disagree that it's the worst.

But it's played on a blue field. That's gotta be worth extra badness points.

[SCcoug]

But it's played on a blue field. That's gotta be worth extra badness points.

Yes it is the worst field.

[SeattleUte]

Disagree that it's the worst.

Camping World Bowl
LendingTree Bowl
Redbox Bowl
Cheez-It Bowl
Quick Lane Bowl

Not to mention other bowls who's title sponsor crowds out the actual bowl name like the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl or TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

I said there's none worse. But that a quite a list you assembled. The horror!

[falafel]

Is the Beef O'Brady Bowl still around? That's my pick for worst.