[wyager]

> from hearing from people one knows personally (and trust), who heard from others they know (ditto).

So what you're telling me is that you know the economic impact of this phenomenon from social gossip?

Like I said, you need actual evidence. For example, a survey from a reputable census data agency. "It is known" and "he said/she said" are not acceptable arguments.

[vram22]

Wow. What I said:

>>from people one knows personally (and trust)

vs. what you're imputing to me (i.e. interpreting/twisting my words as/into, or you didn't bother to read before replying):

>So what you're telling me is that you know the economic impact of this phenomenon from social gossip?

So, words from a person you trust (like a close friend or relative), are "social gossip" to you?

If a close friend or relative tells you: "I saw that road A on the way to your work is being repaired, so has a barrier, I suggest you take alternative road B today", do you dismissively tell them that you "need actual evidence. For example, a survey from a reputable census data agency"?

There is a continuum from scientific facts proven by experiments -> things you can be confident about from hearing from people you trust -> roadside gossip. (And for that matter, scientific "evidence" or "laws" can also be proven wrong, so how about your census agency?? how about biased surveys, relevant people not participating (oops, of course black money hoarders are going to answer truthfully to a survey that they hoard black money! /s) People believed the earth was flat and/or that the sun revolved around the earth, before Galileo / Copernicus etc. If you could show a computer or smartphone or even a car - while in use - to a Neanderthal, he would think it was magic. Knowledge, including science, evolves.) Or do you also ask for scientific evidence before you do anything at all?

And:

>"It is known" and "he said/she said" are not acceptable arguments.

Acceptable to whom? That's the key point. You don't need to believe what I do, nor vice versa.

I was trying to clarify a misconception you had, as a person who likely did not know the situation on the ground. Not interested in continuing this discussion further.

[wyager]

> So, words from a person you trust (like a close friend or relative), are "social gossip" to you?

Yes. Is that a serious question?

I also don't have any reason trust you or whichever random people you're citing as authoritative sources on large-scale socioeconomic phenomena.

> "I saw that road A on the way to your work is being repaired"

This is a straightforward factual claim that's not subject to misinterpretation or invalid inference. My criteria for evidence is therefore much lower.

Instead of getting mad that I called you out on making economic/sociological claims without any sort of non-anecdotal evidence, you could actually try to provide evidence. Maybe you tried that and gave up. But whatever, it's up to you.

> People believed the earth was flat and/or that the sun revolved around the earth

Probably because people they trusted told them as much. You should consider this when you accept "trusted" hearsay as evidence.

> I was trying to clarify a misconception you had

Thank you, but this typically involves introducing new information. I'm aware of the opinion of the average underqualified member of the Indian public. More anecdotes along the same lines doesn't clarify much.