Ben Hatke

...does great work! Check out the Zita the Spacegirl site! :)

Correlation/Causation

We all know about the fallacy "post hoc ergo propter hoc," wherein it is assumed that because something occurs temporally after another something else, it is thus caused by what came before it. A related mantra in statistics is that "correlation does not imply causation." Nevertheless, confusion reigns here. We see news stories quoting statistics in this precise way almost daily; they tell us we should eat shrimp to avoid prostate cancer, or that walking on the left side of the street will cause symptoms of osteoporosis, or what have you. It's all very silly.

This silliness, however, cannot be so lightly dismissed. It has a dark side. The dark side, I'd posit, is that a lot of people may actually be confused about the differences between correlation and causation. To those of us accustomed to thinking logically, this hypothesis is almost, well, unthinkable. If true, it would provide a solution for the question of how some people can be so incredibly unobservant about their daily lives? Answer: they have the powers of observation but are simply unable to draw accurate connections between one thing and another. Without the power to distinguish between causation and correlation, the world immediately becomes a hazier, more mysterious place.

You must have guessed by now that I have an example in mind--yes, I do, and it's a great, "politically charged" one. Babies. Where do babies come from? It's that perennial mysterious question children ask, which in former times was eventually answered either by experience or by education: sexual intercourse makes babies. It causes babies to happen. Do people really think this anymore, though? I'd hazard a guess that if you carved open the minds of your average joe or jane, the relation between sex and babies would look somewhat vaguer than a good, robust causal link. Obviously, there's a relation there, but causation? Why would sexual intercourse be seen as causal to babies when there are ways to have sex and at the same time make sure you NOT have babies--and there are ways to make babies without involving sex? What's the difference, anyway?

People should apply logic to the situation of their reproductive systems and realize that there's not just a correlation here, but actually a causation. In order to do that, they might first need to break down for themselves what exactly it means for one thing to cause another. They might need to think.

No More Boyfriend

As I look at this blog, I have to admit I find it rather embarrassing that it still sports a picture of my now EX-boyfriend. It doesn't bother me all that much, but it is perplexing. Should I just delete it and pretend the post never happened? Should I leave it as a reminder to myself to keep boyfriends and blogs separate in the future? Oh well, bizarre.

All Roads Lead to FroRo

. . . even if none of them are in good repair! Yes, I have been remiss in reporting that Andy is now not just in the online community of this blog but also in the subset of said community which lives in the actual town of our alma mater, lovely Front Royal, Virginia. It is lovely here, especially just now as the leaves begin to change color and the teeniest bit of a chill enters the early morning air. One can't always call it a chill: sometimes it's just a burst of humidity. In any case, when I started this blog, I envisioned it as a way of keeping in touch with classmates far from me. Then I did the unthinkable, the prosaic, and moved back to Virginia! Now . . . I still barely see any of you, though I do, so we should probably get together sometime and have drinks. (You see, that is what adults do.) What say you? Lucky Star Lounge?

Looks Like

Hi everyone! Here is what my boyfriend, Stephen, looks like:



I hope he doesn't mind me blogging him (I'm not sure he knows I have blogs), but isn't he attractive? I sure think so.

Work for Women

I'm open to correction on this matter, but I'm just going to come out and say it: I think for a woman to want to stay at home and do things like cooking, cleaning, baking, sewing, laundry, decorating, etc. is fine and good. I feel so empowered now!

Sad Endings

It's sad when things end, sometimes.

Like dresses. I have noticed a tragic trend in dresses for, well, my entire life. The trend is this: they end too soon! Cut off, without a chance to continue a full life, they rest, abbreviated, at around mid-thigh. This isn't a good story. It's a true story, though. Even today, look at some of the more respected women's outfitters, such as JCrew or Ann Taylor, and you will see what I mean. Even skirts are not exempt from these abrupt, unfinished conclusions. I can only say that I hope dresses will flourish more in the future and go on to see their wearers' ankles, to the tenth generation!

Manners, According to Me

I am always ranting on here, it is so bad. Oh well! :) Here are some real-life pieces of etiquette that some might find handy:

1. If you want to see someone else, get in touch with that person. That's right, direct communication is the best thing.

2. If I say I am going to organize a party, don't take over planning the details, contacting people involved, or starting a guest list. Sorry, you're over-functioning.

3. Don't ask about a party before you've been invited. In other words, don't fish for invitations. Just chill...you'll be invited.

4. DO reply to communications (such as invitations, planning emails, etc) about parties in a timely manner, preferably within 24 hours.

5. Let your yes be yes and your no be no: inform the host as soon as possible whether or not you will be able to attend an event. A "maybe" does not suffice for a polite answer--respond affirmatively or negatively as soon as you know either way. (Exception: Facebook events are typically more informal and may not need a definite yes or no...but you should RSVP with a yes, no, or maybe nonetheless.)

6. In Church, when going up for the Communion, if several people are sharing a single kneeler, it is the job of the last person on that kneeler to raise it after its occupants go up for Communion; it is the responsibility of the first person back to lower it for the rest of its occupants. Following this simple rule makes it less confusing for everyone! (Exception: gentlemen have the prerogative both to raise and lower the pew for a lady/ladies.)

7. In an office environment, do not hover around others' desks. If you have something to communicate, knock on the door or lintel of the office before entering, or say, "Excuse me," and then begin your communication.

That's all for now, but I'm sure I will think of more!