| >I have zero interest in "political correctness". That is truly and honestly good to hear! >I'm in favour of considering data at a finer granularity than you are in order to obtain a more accurate picture. I understand where you're coming from, but interactions are only interpretable after you've considered the main effects. To be sure, I'm not advocating that people not employ finer-grained measures, but in evaluating risk, you must consider overall trends (if only to discover that your specific case is an exception). Moreover, a healthy intellectual environment demands that we be able to discuss large trends without being accused of bigotry. >Is it better to use the generalisation about that country having a poor education system, or the more detailed case-specific facts? This is a false dichotomy. It's note one or the other. I will -- again -- repeat my arguments: 1. We should consider both large trends and specific cases. 2. Considering general trends -- which necessarily imply some non-trivial degree of generalization -- is not xenophobic in and of itself. 3. Willful ignorance (in the sense of "ignoring") of large trends is a Bad Thing. I'm willing to believe you have no interest in political correctness, but then I must insist that your rhetoric is in contradiction with your values. You're ultimately endorsing something you oppose. |