Subject:
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Re: The value of reading (was: If you could leave any book on Kjeld's nightstand...)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Wed, 3 Apr 2002 17:33:10 GMT
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Viewed:
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1397 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Dave Schuler writes:
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Larry Pieniazek writes:
>
> > Chris's words seem pretty clear to me... there seems to be a statistical
> > link (a correlation) between poverty and education level, to wit, people
> > who are poor seem to have less formal education. But he's caveating that by
> > pointing out that merely noting that statistical correlation doesn't imply
> > causality.
>
> You are, of course, absolutely correct to point out the difference between
> correlation and causation, but it must be recalled that statistical data are
> routinely used by both sides in all kinds of discussions, so Allan can be
> forgiven for suggesting a causative relationship between some A and some B.
> For instance, every time the gun debate crops up here, someone eventually
> says "areas with more guns have lower crime rates," which is a statement
> based entirely on a particular reading of a particular set of statistics.
> Further, that statement is *invariably* used to imply causation.
> For that matter, we can't dismiss statistics simply because life doesn't
> always work by the numbers--I cross the street on the basis of informal ad
> hoc statistical reasoning: "if the light is red and I don't see a car
> coming, I am X% safe to cross the street here and now." Sure, we seldom
> articulate it to ourselves that way, but in any sort of cost/benefit
> scenario, don't we go through some sort of similar analysis?
Yes, I agree with all of the above. Nevertheless it's irrelevant. My
question really was to Allan, because I honestly didn't understand what it
was he didn't understand about what Chris said.
> > I mostly stay out of .debate these days but this one just jumped out at me.
>
> Honestly, I'm not trying to bait you, but I'd be interested to read
> anyone's opinions on the dual-edged sword of "useful" statistics.
Me too.
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