Without evidence of benefit, an intervention should not be presumed to be beneficial or safe.

- Rogue Medic

Mathematically Annoying Advertising

xkcd 870 explains a bit of the problem of trying to get people to understand how bias misleads us in research.

The mouse-over text reads –

I remember the exact moment in my childhood when I realized, while reading a flyer, that nobody would even spend money solely to tell me they wanted to give me something for nothing. It’s a much more vivid memory than the (related) parental Santa talk.

Of course this study, that only superficially addresses the question, is the final word on ________. After all, it confirms my beliefs.

Of course some stranger has decided to set up a business to give me something for free. After all, I’m a unique and special snowflake.

If you are not able to tell if I am using sarcasm, then consider that the subtitle for xkcd is – A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

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Comments

  1. Sarcasm? What’s that?

    I’m not a fan of neither snow or frosted flakes.

    Just sayin’.