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>> Statistics are meaningless to the individual. >This is just blatantly untrue. I mean, it's not. Statistics describe how society on average acts, not how y
by dabluecaboose 3y ago
>> Statistics are meaningless to the individual.
>This is just blatantly untrue.
I mean, it's not. Statistics describe how society on average acts, not how you personally act. Someone telling you "Statistically you're more likely to drown if you own a pool" doesn't mean as much if you bought a pool and then became a paraplegic, for example.
Saying "emergency braking will bring down average car deaths" is probably true, but that might not make a difference for Joebob who drives his truck down empty County Road 230 once a week to check his mail.
- ceejayoz 3y agoJoebob’s car insurance premiums and taxes cover others’ car crashes. He is statistically impacted even if he’s a recluse without a car at all. (He might even be statistically more likely to run into the car he’s not used to seeing on the usually empty road via the stop sign he usually blows right through. Who knows?)
- dabluecaboose 3y ago> (He might even be statistically more likely to run into the car he’s not used to seeing on the usually empty road via the stop sign he usually blows right through. Who knows?) That's not how statistics work. Again, statistics mean little to the individual.
- ceejayoz 3y ago“You are statistically more likely to die prematurely and painfully if you eat polonium” sure matters to individuals who eat polonium. I don’t think you’re clear on the definition of “statistically”.
- dabluecaboose 3y agoI don't think you are clear on the definition of statistically. Citing things with >90% probability does not, actually, prove your weak point that "all statistical probabilities are individual certainties".