Look: I am eager to learn stuff I don't know--which requires actively courting and posting smart disagreement.

But as you will understand, I don't like to post things that mischaracterize and are aimed to mislead.

-- Brad Delong

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Everything that appears on this blog is the copyrighted property of somebody. Often, but not always, that somebody is me. For things that are not mine, I either have obtained permission, or claim fair use. Feel free to quote me, but attribute, please. My photos and poetry are dear to my heart, and may not be used without permission. Ditto, my other intellectual property, such as charts and graphs. I'm probably willing to share. Let's talk. Violators will be damned for all eternity to the circle of hell populated by Rosanne Barr, Mrs Miller [look her up], and trombonists who are unable play in tune. You cannot possibly imagine the agony. If you have a question, email me: jazzbumpa@gmail.com. I'll answer when I feel like it. Cheers!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Cherry Picking*


Not necessarily the minor details, though. You can always keep whatever supports your preconceived notion or new pet theory, and disregard the rest. That's simple human nature. Propagandists know how to exploit human nature for their own - usually nefarious - ends; and for them, cherry-picking is a tool.

Conservative commentators do it all the time. Libertarians and neo-cons have to rely on it, because what they're selling is ultimately at variance with reality.

Here**, the Sandwichman calls out a Libertarian on a particularly egregious example. Data cited to support a new variety of New Deal Denialist meme is based on a single corporate experience in Canada during the 90's. Wow - what an amazing lack of relevance.

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* Picture from here.
**Follow the links.

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