Quote:


Statistics do not tell you anything about individuals.




True, but people don't always have the option of conducting exhaustive research on individual people or the prospect of getting reliable data. Hence, at some point it becomes more efficient to "play the percentages".

To understand this logic, I suggest you take a walk around midnight in your local ghetto. When you see a cornrowed Black youth in baggy pants approaching, you can inquire if he's really a thug out to harm you but risk being victimized if you do so. Or you can look at the statistics and realize demographically he is more predisposed to crime than other people and choose to cross to the other side of the street. Not saying all Black youths in baggy pants are criminals, but it is unreasonable to take chances when statistically your safety is at elevated risk. Ditto with sex with gays and bisexuals.