i actually find that mentioning "correlation does not necessarily equal causation" is refreshing when compared to the "heavy metal/role-playing games/video games _causes_ violent behaviour" and like tropes that permeate media reports. even this one, where the article title uses a slightly less forceful "might cause" (i do like that you used "a possible link" instead in your post) already colors the reader.
and just like there are dumb examples of "corrolation != causation" like being shot/dying or monkeys/humans, i think people have been besieged with more sensationalistic "corrolation != causation" examples which are not proven, like marijuana/gateway drug, or the above mentioned fill-in-the-blank/violent behavior, or people who break the speed limit had to first drive at or under the speed limit, thus driving at or under the speed limit causes speeding! ;)
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-10-17 08:28 pm (UTC)i actually find that mentioning "correlation does not necessarily equal causation" is refreshing when compared to the "heavy metal/role-playing games/video games _causes_ violent behaviour" and like tropes that permeate media reports. even this one, where the article title uses a slightly less forceful "might cause" (i do like that you used "a possible link" instead in your post) already colors the reader.
and just like there are dumb examples of "corrolation != causation" like being shot/dying or monkeys/humans, i think people have been besieged with more sensationalistic "corrolation != causation" examples which are not proven, like marijuana/gateway drug, or the above mentioned fill-in-the-blank/violent behavior, or people who break the speed limit had to first drive at or under the speed limit, thus driving at or under the speed limit causes speeding! ;)