A Footnote on the September Newsletter

In writing this month’s letter (just published earlier today) I researched the source of the quote, “If you torture the data long enough, it will always confess.” It was attributed to Ronald Coase, listed on Wikipedia as “Born 1911”. Because his dates did not include an end date for his life, it somewhat improbably suggested he was still alive at the age of 102. However, not wanting to assume Mr. Coase’s demise prematurely, I did not describe him as “the late Ronald Coase”.

I just read in the NY Times that he passed away in Chicago yesterday, at the age of 102. I’m glad I assumed nothing less.