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by winningcontinue 2601 days ago
correllation not causation
3 comments

Sure, but contagion in suicide is a well studied thing and we know it happens.
> Inductive reasoning is a method of reasoning in which the premises are viewed as supplying some evidence for the truth of the conclusion; this is in contrast to deductive reasoning. While the conclusion of a deductive argument is certain, the truth of the conclusion of an inductive argument may be probable, based upon the evidence given.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_reasoning

> Researchers warn that their study could not prove causation. Some unknown third factor might have been responsible for the increase, they said. Still, citing the strong correlation, they cautioned against exposing children and adolescents to the series.
So, what's the point of the study if they choose to attack the show and ignore everything else?

If anything, a third factor like mass media talking about suicide among teenagers at the time of the release probably had much bigger effect on teenagers in the US than the show, giving them ideas and all.

Talking about it because of the show? That's still causation, but more complicated.

(If unrelated, why that particular month?)