More or Less: Behind the Stats How to spot a suspicious statistic
29 snips
Jun 21, 2025 
In this episode, Alex Edmans, a finance professor at London Business School and author of 'May Contain Lies', shares insights on how to spot misleading statistics. He examines the nuances of breastfeeding data, emphasizing a holistic interpretation. The conversation also tackles the complex relationship between economic inequality and social issues, questioning causation versus correlation. Edmans empowers listeners to critically engage with statistics, offering practical techniques to discern trustworthy data from misleading claims.
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Question Results That Appeal
- Ask how a result makes you feel before sharing it widely.
- If it appeals strongly, it may be popular for its appeal, not its accuracy.
Breastfeeding and Child Health
- Breastfeeding correlates with better child health but causation is unclear.
- Family environment, not breast milk alone, may drive better child outcomes.
Poverty vs Inequality Effects
- Inequality correlates with social problems but may not cause them.
- Poverty, not inequality itself, might drive issues like ill health and obesity.
