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Re:Individuals Matter by nkoren on Tuesday November 16, 2021 @06:05AM (#29239168)
Yep, you're exhibiting precisely that kind of bias. I've known a variety of addicts and there's absolutely no statement one could make about them with 99% certainty that it will apply to a given individual.

I don't mean that one should be naive about things. You might correctly observe that a high percentage of Oxycontin addicts exhibit behaviour X, and therefor you might want to keep a wary eye out for that behaviour when dealing with an individual Oxycontin addict. Of course that way lies confirmation bias, which one must also guard against. But it's still better than saying that because most Oxy addicts exhibit trait X, this individual addict will necessarily exhibit trait X. That's worse than confirmation bias becuause it's pre-confirmation bias. You're treating statistics about a group as evidence about an individual -- and that's wrong.

Re:Individuals Matter by rStar on Tuesday November 16, 2021 @02:17PM (#29245154)
> I don't mean that one should be naive about things.

i think that’s the literal disagreement we are having

> I've known a variety of addicts

how bout they try to get more oxy by any means necessary? i think i’m safe. i also think that some people really like to believe the line you’re selling, but that’s all it is. want and belief. some call it faith. whatever you want to call it, it’s wrong.

Re:Individuals Matter by rStar on Tuesday November 16, 2021 @02:47PM (#29245503)
i have to say though, i do appreciate the well thought out, reasoned and mannerly post. you are very good at arguing your position, so, even though we ultimately disagree, much respect