Japanese teens weigh habits: cellphones or smoking?
By Ryan Block 
posted Aug 22nd 2005 5:40PM
posted Aug 22nd 2005 5:40PM
It might be slightly on the ad hoc ergo propter hoc end, but officials have apparently noticed a dramatic
decline in the smoking habits of kids in Japan—ranging between 6 to even 50% (depending on demographic) in minors
between the ages of 13 and 18—that correllates with patterns in teenage cellphone adoption. The link is drawn by the
fact that ¥4000-6000 monthly cellphone plans might be costing these kids a significant portion of their ¥6000-7000
allowance. Well, that, or maybe these kids have finally found something else to do with their hands in public that
looks adequately grown-up and empowering.
[Via TechDirt, thanks
Eric]
Hmm...maybe I'll actually be able to see where I'm going the next time I go to a video arcade in Tokyo then...
I believe it's "post hoc, ergo propter hoc" --"ad hoc, ergo propter hoc" really can't make sense, in English or in Latin.
And, after all, quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
Trading lung cancer for brain cancer...
you sure?
http://www.kilty.com/reason.htm#Ad%20Hoc
Much of the correlation studies in social science suffer from the fallacy of post hoc, ergo propter hoc, but these studies still have some value, so it's not necessary to point out this particular fallacy. Correlation studies are not required to point out cause-and-effect, after all. They only need to prove the significance of a relationship.
Lol, I love it when people, trying to sound smart, criticize journalists, only to have someone like steve dp turn around and bite them in the ass. :)
"And, after all, quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum sonatur."
That explains Max' motives: 'Anything said in Latin sounds profound', huh buddy?
:)
Interesting piece, btw.
Max you've been pwn3d!
Hmm that is interesting. Perhaps they can not hold their coffee/tea, talk on the cell phone and smoke at the same time!
If only they had a third arm... ;)
Man, these kids get 6000 to 7000 yen allowances? That's like 60 to 70 USD. I wish I had that kind of allowance while growing up.
ed.... no, you probably don't wish that. if you'd had it, you'd probably grow up to be a spineless skulking spoiled lower brat like 95% of the kids in toyko. and plus your parents might have left you in the car with the windows up while they played pachinko on a 100degC day.
Also backed up by a british medical journal article from 2000:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0999/is_7269_321/ai_67581559
no latin though ;-)
japanese kids are often spoiled money wise ed, but lets also not forget that $60 or $70 US doesnt go nearly as far in japan. Resident evil 4, for gamecube, came out at 8190 yen or $80 for example.
Actually, Max didn't get pwn'd. He's right, and steve dp simply looked for something in particular and found someone else who made the same mistake. Now, grammatically, "ad" and "post" may fit these sentences, but the logical fallacy begins "post hoc …"
Google the two phrases. You'll get 38,000 hits for "post hoc" and 272 for "ad hoc." Or, even better, visit http://www.tucows.com/preview/205516 and download the fallacy tutorial and learn about all sorts of logical fallacies.