5 ms·
Also related: Spurious Correlations[0]. These are great and really drives home the idea that correlation neither equals or implies causation. At least one of th
by FractalParadigm 5y ago
Also related: Spurious Correlations[0]. These are great and really drives home the idea that correlation neither equals or implies causation. At least one of these graphs implies that if the US wanted to reduce the number of drivers getting hit by trains, they simply just need to stop importing oil from Norway.
[0]: https://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations https://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations
- astrange 5y agoThere are some cases where lack of correlation is actually evidence of causation.
- malf 5y agoAs in the causal effect happens to cancel out a confounder, or something more fun? Do you have an example?
- astrange 5y agoI was thinking of an air conditioner - a perfect A/C would mean the temperature is flat. Although hmm, I think R^2 is undefined rather than 0 there. But basically, it's a "if you do it right, it'll look like you've done nothing at all" situation.
- Rury 5y agoWhat variables are you correlating in that example? It seems to correlate just fine if your measuring energy inputed to heat the room vs work done by air conditioner.