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> Pointing to one inherent "truth" in the data is far more effective in convincing people than "it's complicated".

Yep and this is my biggest problem with populist "thinkers" like Gladwell and Rosling. They actually encourage the opposite of thinking; providing ready made simplistic conclusions for their audience.

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Sure, but that's just human nature, and even if it weren't, there isn't enough time for everyone to understand everything. A civilization at our level of sophistication requires specialization. I think the best you can hope for is intellectual honesty from these guys.

And you concluding that insane incarceration rates are predominantly due to racism is called critical thinking?

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