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Comment by Sindisil | Hacker News Reader

Related: Lack of pirates is causing global warming:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2012/03/23/true-f...

Also related: Spurious Correlations[0]. These are great and really drives home the idea that correlation neither equals or implies causation. At least one of these graphs implies that if the US wanted to reduce the number of drivers getting hit by trains, they simply just need to stop importing oil from Norway.

[0]: https://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations

There are some cases where lack of correlation is actually evidence of causation.

As in the causal effect happens to cancel out a confounder, or something more fun? Do you have an example?

I was thinking of an air conditioner - a perfect A/C would mean the temperature is flat. Although hmm, I think R^2 is undefined rather than 0 there.

But basically, it's a "if you do it right, it'll look like you've done nothing at all" situation.

What variables are you correlating in that example? It seems to correlate just fine if your measuring energy inputed to heat the room vs work done by air conditioner.

Hah! I love this kind of stuff

REPORT: Average human has less than two arms

well, sure, after sharkweek!

There are no humans with three or more arms. Most humans have two arms. A few humans have one or zero arms. Thus, the mean/average number of arms should be between 1.9 and 2.0 but surely less then two.

(The median number of arms is two though)

Prove it.

first, I am aware of the stats so the lecture was a waste.

second, the posters name was sharkweek, if you went in the water during sharkweek you probably wouldn't have two arms, this is what is known as a joke based on an eponysterical name.

third, you are also incorrect in your statement that there are no humans with 3 arms https://www.google.com/search?q=baby+born+with+three+arms

You are right. I was wrong. You win this debate.

There are no humans with three or more arms

Never say never:

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

> Never say never:

Especially on the internet

Average human has more than 1 skeleton!

(pregnancy)

Some people own skeletons.

All own at least one. Some, two.

The extra ones are usually kept in the closet, I believe.

The average human has approximately one testicle and one boob.

You could also say that the most humans have an above-average number of arms

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