A study on studies
Preschoolers who are aggressive, angry, and inattentive tend to have fewer playmates than their non-aggressive classmates. [from a study in the journal Child Development]
I'm sitting on my patio enjoying the balmy morning before the air heats up and the high temps force me inside. And speaking of "balmy," please tell me who the heck needs a study to determine the obvious (see opening quote). "News" like this cracks me up. Someone - probably a bunch of someones - spent a lot of time and money studying something that anyone with common sense could have told them. But then, we live in a country where a lot of people still don't "believe in" global warming, as if it were a new religion and not a science.
And that reminds me of a wonderful episode of Friends in which Ross the paleontologist is explaining something obvious to Phoebe, and when she still does not believe what he's telling her, he says in frustration, "But that's like not believing in gravity." With one hand on one hip, she responds, "Oh, don't get me started on gravity!"
Years ago I read about a study that determined the reason for multiple-car collisions on highways - are you ready for this? - driving too fast while tailgating. I remember the moment I read this "news," how I looked up from the newspaper to make sure I had not been propelled from my suburban living room into some alternate universe. Am I smarter than I think I am for having figured this out on my own? Is there a media conspiracy to dumb us down and make us think we need a study to tell us what we already know? Are there really bunches of people hunkered down in conference rooms researching things that can be better understood by simple observation? Wouldn't their time be better spent playing Frisbee?
Like Phoebe, I just don't get it.


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