Why are we so quick to disregard anecdotal evidence? (general rant)

[Storyteller01]

Anyone who's read the Small Weapons thread knows why I'm asking this.

I can understand the obvious reasons for this (exagerrating or outright lying to win the argument), but still, if what is being said can be tested or replicated, why are we so quick to claim that such evidence does not apply to an argument?

Could just be me, but I'm tired of feeling like someone just called me a liar...

 

[Stone Angel]

I often find the most frustrating thing in a debate in an argument is that either one or both sides are not willing to admit they are wrong or to change thier opinion. So everything is moot unless you both prepare your armor and come with a notion that you may have to concede points.

Also their may be no right or wrong and both of you have valid points.

Being called a liar is a different thing, and I think anyone would be angry about that.


The Seraph of Earth and Stone

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Because everyone has different anecdotes. In jurispudence it is also called 'hearsay'.

The Auld Grump, who will continue to dismiss most anecdotal 'evidence'.

 

[Hypersmurf]

[shrug] I don't see that anecdotal evidence is necessary when rules aren't unclear

-Hyp.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Fact and data, you have to have it and if you do not your results are questionable, it is not that you are wrong but the science has not been put forth to back your train of thought and hypothesis.

** Note ** Mythbuster is a wonderful show for this.

 

[nimisgod]

Could just be me, but I'm tired of feeling like someone just called me a liar...

Welcome to the internet

Snarkiness aside, people are as diverse as their experiences. Chances are, if you say the sky is sky blue someone might argue and say that the sky is deep blue.

 

[Wormwood]

I can understand the obvious reasons for this (exagerrating or outright lying to win the argument)...

And there you go.

 

[Gez]

Why are we so quick to disregard anecdotal evidence? (general rant)

Could just be me, but I'm tired of feeling like someone just called me a liar...

What are you talking about? People do not disregard anecdotical evidence at all. Do you have any proof of what you say, honestly, huh?

 

[fusangite]

Anyone who's read the Small Weapons thread knows why I'm asking this.

So, for the rest of us, please give us a little background. Your post isn't specific enough about the situation and the way the evidence was allegedly disregarded for me to offer an opinion.

 

[shilsen]

Personally speaking, I only disregard anecdotal evidence in certain cases. For example, if I want to know how something is supposed to work according to the rules and someone brings up an anecdote from real life to argue how it should work, I ignore it, since that doesn't have any connection with my question. But if I think a particular aspect of the game may be problematic in play, I'm liable to ask people to post anecdotal evidence from their games about said aspect. In short - it depends.

[Wisdom from the ages]And getting upset about being called a liar (or anything else, for that matter) by some random person/people on the internet, whom you will never meet or interact with in person, is really silly.[/Wisdom from the ages]