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0 pointspdpi12y ago0 comments

Actually, you'll find that while a single anecdote doesn't provide evidence for a general theory, it does provide enough of a counter-example to disprove a statement.

How can it be the case that nobody uses old IE by choice, if at least one person does?

0 comments

maxerickson12y ago

The 'nobody' in the title is used figuratively for emphasis. The point of the link is to raise the issue for discussion, not to provide scientific proof that no one uses older versions of IE by choice.

pdpiOP12y ago

Yes, and providing stories about how people you know who do use oldIE by choice is discussing the issue, and shouldn't warrant the kneejerk "anecdote != evidence" argument, which is what I was railing against.

bunderbunder12y ago

It'll disprove a genuine universal statement of the kind that can be expressed with a "∀x" quantifier.

But anecdotes are pretty useless against hyperbole. About the best you can accomplish by going that route is to devolve the conversation into a quagmire of "dueling anecdotes" sophistry.

untilHellbanned12y ago

overly literal

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