tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719512757374647907.post3256592162813319319..comments2023-08-26T08:33:13.662-06:00Comments on Ramblings on a Paleo High: Correlation, Causation, and CircularitySternberg Museum, Fort Hays State Universityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03004171455787083762noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719512757374647907.post-66261360407125750282008-11-25T23:00:00.000-07:002008-11-25T23:00:00.000-07:00Well, the actual conference attendance was factore...Well, the actual conference attendance was factored into the debt and drinking spike after the preparation for conference presentation dry spell. However, you are correct that computer crashes were not factored into the analysis. It will have to be factor into subsequent analysis. This is what peer-review is all about...<BR/><BR/>But if you're going to drink chocolate milk in my presence, make sure its in happy coffee or a White (or rather brownish) Russian.Sternberg Museum, Fort Hays State Universityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03004171455787083762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719512757374647907.post-14204005582634638572008-11-25T22:55:00.000-07:002008-11-25T22:55:00.000-07:00A most fascinating analysis! However, I would be ...A most fascinating analysis! However, I would be curious to know how the potential confounders of "attending conferences" and "darn my computer just crashed AGAIN" could be accounted for. After all, both of these could independently increase drinking and debt. Additionally, "attending conferences" can increase debt before the rise in drinking due to up front costs such as booking flights and hotels months before said conferences. . . which would rather put a kink in the debt-lagging-drinking hypothesis. Similarly, when the expenses are subsequently reimbursed 4 months later, that may decrease debt while significantly increasing drinking. Which, per the most insightful Diagram provided, will lead to increased debt.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, the "darn my computer just crashed AGAIN" factor can either increase or decrease debt before the drinking commences. It can increase debt by means of having to pay the department back for throwing a several-thousand-dollar-worth computer setup out the window; however, the time lag it would take the department bureaucracy to charge you could cause the debt to actually follow the drinking that would presumably begin shortly after said act of throwing computer, etc, out the window. <BR/><BR/>On the flip side, the "darn my computer just crashed AGAIN" factor also has the potential to decrease debt if one chose to head butt the defunct computer, causing a concussion that may be eligible for workman's comp. Additionally, given the sympathy said concussion would garner, friends may be guilt tripped into bringing baked goods and other delectable treats, therefore decreasing one's grocery expenses and helping to pare down the debt even more.<BR/><BR/>So while this study is an excellent start, clearly, further research in this critical field is needed.<BR/><BR/>In the interest of expediting this endeavour, please excuse me while I go head butt my computer. <BR/><BR/>PS: I prefer milk chocolate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com