• Hemingways_Shotgun@lemmy.ca
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    4 days ago

    Perfect example of the causation fallacy.

    If one were to look at that map out of context, once could say that if the temperature is too cold or too hot, murder rates increase.

    We all know of course it’s a map of economic disparity, and a whole host of other societal concerns contributing. But without the context of any of those things, we’re liable to think that correlation equals causation.

    It’s an important lesson.

    • HikingVet@lemmy.ca
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      5 days ago

      There isn’t a lot of people up there, so a single murder is more per capita.

      • Jay@lemmy.ca
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        5 days ago

        Yup, similar to how one small “city” near me had their stats skewed to look worse than Winnipeg for awhile (the murder capitol of Canada and my hometown) because of one single murder.

      • CanadaPlus
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        4 days ago

        I’m guessing it wasn’t a single murder in each territory. A lot of communities up there are poor, traumatised and isolated, which makes people shootier.

        • HikingVet@lemmy.ca
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          4 days ago

          With those numbers, no it’s not a single murder, but the territories have in the neighbourhood of 45k people each.

          • CanadaPlus
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            4 days ago

            Yep, they’re good and empty. Nunavut is actually a bit smaller yet.

      • DaddleDew@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        But Prince Edward Island is the lowest and it has a relatively tiny population.

        Edit: nvm, I assumed wrong

        • HikingVet@lemmy.ca
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          5 days ago

          Mistaking land mass for population.

          PEI has about as many people as do all 3 territories combined. (Quick search, older stats).

  • TargaryenTKE@lemmy.world
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    4 days ago

    Interesting how the lower-population US States have a pretty low homicide rate that tends to increase as the population itself increases but in the Canadian Provinces it’s the opposite effect.

    • yuri@pawb.social
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      4 days ago

      i’m not well versed on the causes, i imagine there’s a lot of factors at play. but do i have a friend who lived in DC for a few years, and talking to him about it was whacky.

      i have a specific memory wherein he was just walking around outside while on the phone with me and there was gunfire in the background. i said something like “hey should you be outside right now?” and he, VERY CASUALLY replied “nah that’s a few blocks away, i’ll be fine.”