Re: FITNESS: Diet and Exercise

From: Lee Daniel Crocker (lee@piclab.com)
Date: Mon Apr 21 2003 - 13:34:32 MDT

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    > >> Subtracting water from lean cooked turkey breast leaves
    > >> a solid food containing 95% protein.
    > >
    > > When assembling statistics for nutrition, the most honest,
    >
    > There was nothing dishonest about my quote, Lee, and I rather
    > resent the implied accusation.

    I didn't say, or imply, that the number was dishonest; I'm sure
    it was quite accurate. But even statistics that are 100% true can
    be misleading or less meaningful that others. Being right does
    not excuse the obligation to be scrupulous in science; indeed, it
    falls upon those of us who seek the truth to be the most diligent
    in trying to prove ourselves wrong, and in casting our arguments
    in terms not designed to persuade, but to illuminate. Mere truth
    is not enough: arguments are judged also on how hard the proponent
    bends over backward to be fair, relevant, conistent, and rigorous.

    I'm sure the 95% stat is true. But the 80% stat is /more/ meaningful,
    /more/ honest, /more/ consistent, and still makes the argument clear,
    and is therefore a /better/ argument.

    I stand by the statement word-for-word: when assembling stats on
    nutrition, the most honest, meaningful stats are percentage-of-
    calories, unless there's a very good reason to use some other
    statistic. "It sounds better for my argument" is not a good reason. 

    -- 
Lee Daniel Crocker <lee@piclab.com> <http://www.piclab.com/lee/>
"All inventions or works of authorship original to me, herein and past,
are placed irrevocably in the public domain, and may be used or modified
for any purpose, without permission, attribution, or notification."--LDC

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