Faulty Logic

Comparative statistics reporting (i.e. “worst x since y”) does something weird to my brain. Even if the x we’re experiencing is a really bad thing, and it’s bad enough to be worse than y, for some reason my brain wants to get the better of y and out-do it.

For example, most economists think that the unemployment rate in the US may reach 10%, which would make this the worst recession since the 1980s. A particular economist by the name of Nouriel Roubini, however, expects unemployment to top 12%, making this the worst recession since the 1930s. For some strange, bizarre reason, I find my brain rooting for us to hit the latter figure, despite how incredibly bad I realize it would be for people and the economy.

I think my brain may be broken.

Published by Alahmnat, on May 8th, 2009 at 9:29 am. Filled under: Alahmnetcetera • 1 Comment

One Response to “Faulty Logic”

  1. The bigger number is not always better.. it’s just how you use it. ;) *run!*

    Comment by Oscelot on May 29, 2009 at 5:54 am



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