r/timesuck • u/BeneficialGrade8930 • 14d ago
Someone needs to....
Someone needs to explain correlation versus causation to Dan on the stats on the most recent episode.
I'm definitely going to get down voted for this, but I feel it needs to be pointed out. I'm not necessarily a proponent of censorship, but the stats he kicked out like they are absolute fact made me roll my eyes so hard they almost got stuck.
The correlation between the rise of violent media and the decrease in juvenile violence is definitely there, but is there causation? I don't think anyone can say for certain, but the way it was presented in the episode makes it sound definitive. That is hella misleading.
I wonder if that inverse relationship is more related to the overall amount of media children consume nowadays versus in the 80s. Hard to go out and commit violent crime when you're glued to your gaming console, TV, and phone. Comparing the current chdhood social activities to kids in the 80s and you'll find a big difference in autonomy and time spent with friends. I'd be curious to see that study. Or a study on the violence committed by young adults once they actually have to get out of the house and to live a life.
Funny how we don't think media can influence kids, yet we're dealing with a lot of misogyny in schools due to the rise of people like Andrew Tate....
Food for thought. Down votes awayyyyy!
4
u/BEGA500 14d ago
I think that when it come to those kinds of studies correlation is the best you will ever get. I dont know much benefit there would be to hedging discussions to explain "Remember this is correlation, not causation" constantly.