coincidence in Berlin 1
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understandinguncertainty.org was produced by the Winton programme for the public understanding of risk based in the Statistical Laboratory in the University of Cambridge. The aim was to help improve the way that uncertainty and risk are discussed in society, and show how probability and statistics can be both useful and entertaining.
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About 12 years ago I went to Berlin to visit an old friend and a recently discovered cousin. The old friend lived about 2 miles from the centre of what was once West Berlin (at its centre is the bomb-scarred and much damaged kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which has been very partially rebuilt.). After visiting her, i was walking towards the centre when I was stopped by a youngish woman who addressed me in American English (without first if I spoke English) and showed me a slip of paper with a name and address on it. Could I direct her to it? I gave very clear directions: turn around and walk in the direction you have come, take the first left, the second right, cross the street and walk down the street in the same direction. All the houses (typical Berlin-style blocks of flats) are clearly numbered and she will soon come to number 12. its large arched entrance door will probably be locked but there are entrance bells on the left, with name and number of the flat. She was to press the one for the lawyer's office on the second floor, right. I would advise her to walk up because the lift wasn't every reliable. I waited for a moment but no remark form her. Amazed at her lack of response I said "aren't you surprised at my precise knowledge of where you are to go? You see I was born in that flat, which is now a lawyer's office!"
Date submitted:Sat, 02 Jun 2012 18:27:05 +0000Coincidence ID:6411
