Eugine_Nier comments on The bias shield - Less Wrong

18 Post author: PhilGoetz 31 December 2011 05:44PM

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Comment author: Eugine_Nier 31 December 2011 10:04:06PM 1 point [-]

Most sociological mathematical models are formed by thinking about the relationships involved qualitatively, then building models that are simple, have those qualitative aspects, and can be worked with.

Most sociological mathematical models are also total crap.

Then you can gather data, compare the models to the data, and revise the models.

Repeat until your model has enough free parameters to be unfalsifiable.

Comment author: [deleted] 31 December 2011 11:13:44PM 3 points [-]

Most sociological mathematical models are also total crap.

Downvoted.

I am disappointed in the LW community every time I see a comment consisting primarily of: "<X> is crap."

It doesn't add anything useful to the conversation, or propose any solutions or ideas. It is just plain rude. Please stop.

We can do better than that.

Comment author: wedrifid 01 January 2012 12:31:13AM *  9 points [-]

It doesn't add anything useful to the conversation,

Yes it does. It is (often) a negation of the previous assertion - in this case just the implied suggestion that sociological mathematical models are useful. To the extent that said assertion can be said to be a contribution the rejection of it can too.

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