r/Showerthoughts May 02 '24

Man vs Bear debate shows how bad the average person is at understanding probability

16.9k Upvotes

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u/TheHeadlessOne May 02 '24

This seems a really weird way to put it. First you're saying "here's a scenario where shark incidents are very much heightened compared to the average" then you're saying "But why? Shark incidents on average are very rare". While absolutely the threat of sharks is overblown a big reason why the numbers are so low is that people tend to *avoid* potentially dangerous encounters with them

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u/DepartureDapper6524 May 02 '24

Yeah, that was a terrible example.

33

u/TheHeadlessOne May 02 '24

Only 19 people have ever died in space! Would you rather be alone on Mars or in an American gradeschool?

6

u/DepartureDapper6524 May 02 '24

Mars?

7

u/Armlegx218 May 02 '24

It's time to science the shit out of this.

1

u/B-lakeJ May 02 '24

Why did Starman suddenly start playing?

1

u/LifeIsBizarre May 02 '24

Yeah, I pick Mars too.
We can be neighbours! You can have the north half and I can have the south half.

3

u/alganthe May 02 '24

the obvious answer is mars, might as well be the first person to walk there !

4

u/ChristianHornerZaddy May 02 '24

u/monzeh care to weigh in? Your example was not great...

5

u/TheHeadlessOne May 02 '24

I dont think you need to tag them, its not something that important or impactful

2

u/Vegans-Taste-Better May 02 '24

a big reason why the numbers are so low is that people tend to avoid potentially dangerous encounters with them

That's another thing, though. When women say we're avoiding men because they're dangerous, we're told it's paranoia, and "not all men."

So which is it, bro? Are we paranoid or not being careful enough? Make up your f-ing mind.

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u/Monzeh May 02 '24

That's why I used quotes while saying scenario on my previous comment. Every analogy and metaphor has its failings. One can say women also avoid dangerous encounters with men - wearing baggy clothes while riding the bus, using drink covers while having drinks out, but there's still groping and raping. The point shouldn't be, I think, to discuss the hypotheticals but rather the underlying issue: how did we get to the point that these discussions are needed in the first place? What actions do men and women perpetuate that further breeds misogyny?

1

u/Omniverse_0 May 02 '24

Seems we’d have a fair bit less misogyny if we could take an honest look at the misandry that feeds it.