Tuesday 1 February 2011

Morning Scepticism: Anecdotal

There are so many problems that come from the subjective nature of anecdotes that it really should be obvious that they aren't data. Take astrology, for example. That there are people born around the same time as you who might have a similar personal is not evidence that astrology works at all. At best it's going to be an amusing coincidence. But beyond that, how can anyone possibly see it as fitting a pattern? It's trying to find a pattern with only tiny pieces of data, data that is gathered and recalled subjectively, prone to all the problems that come with being human.

It's nice to hear that two similar people have found each other, but to think that it could possibly mean that there's a link between us and the constellations? Be serious!

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