Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

grumpyduck

(6,232 posts)
Mon Jul 6, 2020, 12:42 PM Jul 2020

Cause and effect: say what?

Ever since I was a kid, I've been fascinated by people who don't seem to have a sense of cause and effect: "If I do this, that may happen." I've known a lot of them, and many were in the "Well, it may, but it shouldn't" camp.

But I seem to be noticing this more and more today -- stuff like cops doing stuff with their body cameras rolling, or people flying off the handle while being videoed, or road rage, or just dumb stuff. So I don't know if I'm just seeing more of it because of the internet, or because it's happening more and more. Or both.

But I just find it fascinating.

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Cause and effect: say what? (Original Post) grumpyduck Jul 2020 OP
You have to factor in the idea of notoriety and the desire for individual expression too. Caliman73 Jul 2020 #1
Also, there's the logical fallacy Cirque du So-What Jul 2020 #2
Actions Have Consequences MagickMuffin Jul 2020 #3
Like: If I vote for an immoral moron for president Walleye Jul 2020 #4

Caliman73

(11,730 posts)
1. You have to factor in the idea of notoriety and the desire for individual expression too.
Mon Jul 6, 2020, 12:46 PM
Jul 2020

I think that the rates are probably not too different than before the rise of phone cameras and social media. There is likely a small bump from the desire to be "internet famous".

Our brains are wired in odd ways, with the understanding of cause and effect, but a lot of emotional processes that nullify that logical structure.

Cirque du So-What

(25,927 posts)
2. Also, there's the logical fallacy
Mon Jul 6, 2020, 01:09 PM
Jul 2020

of implying that correlation equals causation. I was an electrical / electronic troubleshooter in a previous life. I lost count of times that people made ludicrous suggestions while I was trying to work.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Cause and effect: say wha...