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Nearly all experiments suffer from correlation/causation problem, even as the experimenters repeatedly claim that it was factored out.

People in general point to scientific evidence only when it backs their stake, or worse, world view.

As soon as scientific evidence is shown that counters their stake or world view, then we go straight to "correlation is not causation."




> As soon as scientific evidence is shown that counters their stake or world view, then we go straight to "correlation is not causation."

I like to think people are more fair than that.

In this case in particular I tend to eat as much spicy food as I can. I have about 20 bottles of hot sauce within arms reach as I type this, I add some set of peppers onions and garlic to basically any meal I cook, and I usually order thai hot when it's offered even though it definitely kicks my ass.

And yet when I read this headline I immediately jumped to correlation.


I think if 2020 should have taught us anything, it's that people have a very loose relationship with proper science. I think you may be over-estimating people's abilities and attitudes... Consider yourself lucky to have such a great entourage! ;)




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