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This is a terrible perspective. I would argue that if even those research papers could not be replicated, an anecdote is all but worthless.
by phren0logy 14y ago
This is a terrible perspective.
I would argue that if even those research papers could not be replicated, an anecdote is all but worthless.
- JoeAltmaier 14y agoAn anecdote, if true, is a contrary example which can be useful. It can even disprove an absolute claim - it only takes one counterexample. In mathematics this is done all the time. Statistics are themselves misleading - there are whole books on the subject (oh no! an anecdote! better close your mind now). They are highly contextual, but the popular press excels are stripping that context and proclaiming absurd extremes. Anecdotes are excellent context, putting statistics into perspective.
- derleth 14y ago> oh no! an anecdote! better close your mind now Another idiotic strawman argument.
- JoeAltmaier 14y agoForgot whimsy doesn't play on HN - too many literal thinkers. Sorry, I'll refrain.
- scalable 14y agoJokes such as those are really bad for a good discussion. They serve to prove to people on your "side" (an idiotic notion, but I digress), how stupid the people on the other side are. I would downvote if I could.
- JoeAltmaier 14y agoSorry again; I commented while in an excited emotional state. Though it embarrasses me how many times that give better karma than a reasoned paragraph putting forth a cogent argument.