Andy9o8 3 #1 May 25, 2011 There is a statistical correlation between an increase in ice cream sales and an increase in violent crime. No kidding; look here: http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Causalation QuoteCausalation In statistics and data analysis, causalation (a portmanteau of the words "correlation" and "causation") is the fallacy of claiming a cause and effect relationship when either: * none exists * the evidence does not support such a claim Frequently, a causal relationship can only be established after careful experimentation following the scientific method. Even then, it may be very difficult to determine the true relationship between two variables, due to the effects of lurking variables or other complicating matters. One excellent example is the positive correlation between ice cream sales and violent crime (i.e. violent crime increases as ice cream sales increase). The fallacy of causalation would claim that ice cream sales cause violent crime (or vice versa). However, such a claim ignores lurking variables such as heat (which would drive up both crime and ice cream sales). Causalation is often used to skew statistics in favor of a particular argument. For instance, one might observe a supposed correlation between homosexuality and mental illness and claim that being gay leads to psychiatric disorders (not that anyone makes that claim... oh, wait). What this ignores is the effect of social stigma and the oppressive nature of many societies concerning LGBT persons — which, let's face it, is not very fun, and may lead to the kind of stress that sometimes causes mental illness. For further reading, also see: http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Truthiness QuoteTruthiness Truthiness is a term coined by Stephen Colbert on his Comedy Central parody show, The Colbert Report. It refers to a quality that statements can have where they "seem true", or "should be true", or "would (give good story / support my agenda / impress people) if they were true" ... without any actual worry over whether they would be judged to be "actually" true by skeptical and disinterested observers. Stephen uses his gut rather than his head to determine the truthiness of a given statement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreamdancer 0 #2 May 25, 2011 i don't think the one who should be reading this, will. and if he does he won't understand it anyway.stay away from moving propellers - they bite blue skies from thai sky adventures good solid response-provoking keyboarding Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #3 May 25, 2011 Quote One excellent example is the positive correlation between ice cream sales and violent crime (i.e. violent crime increases as ice cream sales increase). The fallacy of causalation would claim that ice cream sales cause violent crime (or vice versa). However, such a claim ignores lurking variables such as heat (which would drive up both crime and ice cream sales). so the answer is banning ice cream sales when the thermometer exceeds 80, right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #4 May 25, 2011 Ban that nasty green mint chocolate chip ice cream, or I will go on a violent rampage. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,184 #5 May 25, 2011 Quote so the answer is banning ice cream sales when the thermometer exceeds 80, right? Smoothies are much better for you.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
