BLA2451

1. Human sciences are "fuzzy" sciences, but they are still sciences.
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2013/WTP052694.htm

Treating schizophrenia with a computer avatar may seem ridiculous, but you can't argue with the results they're seeing!

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2. Science requires data.
http://news.discovery.com/space/alien-life-exoplanets/mars-is-infested-with-pareidolia-rats-130529.htm

Excellent example of pseudo-scientists with a wishful thinking problem trying to create a stir with no evidence to support their claims other than one obviously no-what-they-think-it-is picture. Ugh. Science requires data!

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3. Science runs on careful criticism.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/30/187103955/gmo-wheat-found-in-oregon-field-howd-it-get-there

Events like these wouldn't have to keep happening if the more lucrative scientific industries were more open to criticism that impacts their bottom line. How long do you think it will be before all of the edible plant life on the planet has cross-bred with GMO crops?

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6. Correlation is not causation.
http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f2424

The correlation here may be with the days of the week, but clearly the causation should be placed on under-staffing and other personnel-related issues.

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7. More of something good isn't always better.
Great example: team spirit. Yikes.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/assortment-crude-weapons-confiscated-outside-coppa-italia-final-175747609.html

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8. Beware the plausible, __especially__ if it works.
http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/05/29/early-brain-responses-to-words-predict-developmental-outcomes-in-children-with-autism/

I have to wonder if this is a good idea. I think it places way too much stock in the idea that all neurotypical brains work the same way, and runs the risk of inaccurately and unfairly labeling children before they even have a chance to become who they're going to be. My eyebrow is raised at this one, for sure.

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9. Where there's smoke, ther, e's smoke.
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-exchange/3-myths-working-women-190653888.html

Here's a great example of commonly-cited data that doesn't actually mean NEARLY as much as it appears to. Great news for women!

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10. Lack of evidence doesn't mean it's false.
By now, everyone has heard about the three women held captive in an Ohio home for a decade. Here's a great example of Barrett's Law Number 10:

http://news.yahoo.com/experts-death-penalty-cleveland-case-171710409.html

I don't think anyone in their right mind would disbelieve these three women's testimonies, but at the end of the day, it's difficult to charge a man with murder when there is no record of a life that, in other instances (another argument altogether) isn't is counted as a life at all. The burden of proof may defeat their attempts to serve this man with the death penalty. A harsh reality to be sure, but what would this country look like if we were guilty until proven innocent? Just ask anyone suspected of terrorism over the past 12 or so years, they'll tell you all about it.

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