[pc86]

Is this type of comment helpfully, generally? Ancedotes are typically ignores because they don't show the full picture. If we have verifiable evidence of a staggering decline in population of a given species, "yeah well I've seen plenty of 'em!" doesn't seem particularly useful - to the larger discussion, toward any sort of objective "truth," or really... anything.

[t-3]

Anecdotes can be useful in aggregate, where they can validate or give reason to question a claim. There is a lot of sloppy science and reporting on environmental subjects like these - look at the stuff about feral cats being a danger to songbirds estimating annual predation levels higher than the regional songbird population.

[msrenee]

Can I get a link to the feral cat info you're talking about? My Google skills are weak.

[C19is20]

As much for the full picture, i come to hn for the anecdotes. So yes, 'useful', to me.

And, just to be super-clear, i come for the comments, and rarely the articles.

[msrenee]

So even though you have no way of knowing if the species of bee this person is seeing is the same one in the article, you find the information valuable?