Different sciences accept different standards of proof: a biologist accounting for a phenomenon to the 95th percentile celebrates, whereas a physics experiment that is only 95% correct 'is wrong on its face'—implying social science, dealing with complex feedback loops, must accept lower predictability standards.

factualpending

Speaker

Clay Shirky

Evidence Quote

what the scientists are willing to regard it's both proof and an explanation

Source

Clay Shirky on Coase, Collaboration and Here Comes Everybody 10/20/2008EconTalk
Created: 6/15/2026, 9:28:59 AM

My Notes

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