And again with the cancer comparison!

[conuly]

Though this time it makes sense and actually isn't too objectionable. But really. I'm thinking of doing a study. Compiling a bunch of random articles and seeing how many of them compare autism to cancer. Then, just to shake things up, I'll compile a bunch of articles on cancer and see if they do the comparison again. And maybe I'll pick some articles on other subjects, as a control. What do you think?

Comments

[strangelette.livejournal.com]

That's actually the makings of a really cool content analysis project. Definitely keep that in mind if you need a project for a future stats or research methods class.

[dkmnow.livejournal.com]

Sounds masochistic. :-(

[conuly]

Oh, probably, but I'd love to be able to rattle off some neat statistics at parties and whatnot. I mean, if I went to parties and whatnot....

For my next trick, I'll figure out how much the average prison sentence is for killing a disabled kid as compared to killing a nondisabled kid, and whether or not it varies by type of disability.

[dkmnow.livejournal.com]

Ugh, parties. :-p

"For my next trick..."

Now there's one I'll pay to see. Where do I get my ticket? Does admission include my own personal copy of the thousand page head-bash-- um, I mean, compilation of case files?

[l33tminion]

What I'm wondering about is the origin of this unfortunate metaphor. Was the comparison started in a single place, becoming ingrained in the public's mind because journalists lacked originality and kept repeating it? Or would people find it obvious even without hearing it elsewhere, even though it's so unapt?

[strangelette.livejournal.com]

That's actually the makings of a really cool content analysis project. Definitely keep that in mind if you need a project for a future stats or research methods class.

[dkmnow.livejournal.com]

Sounds masochistic. :-(

[conuly]

Oh, probably, but I'd love to be able to rattle off some neat statistics at parties and whatnot. I mean, if I went to parties and whatnot....

For my next trick, I'll figure out how much the average prison sentence is for killing a disabled kid as compared to killing a nondisabled kid, and whether or not it varies by type of disability.

[dkmnow.livejournal.com]

Ugh, parties. :-p

"For my next trick..."

Now there's one I'll pay to see. Where do I get my ticket? Does admission include my own personal copy of the thousand page head-bash-- um, I mean, compilation of case files?

[l33tminion]

What I'm wondering about is the origin of this unfortunate metaphor. Was the comparison started in a single place, becoming ingrained in the public's mind because journalists lacked originality and kept repeating it? Or would people find it obvious even without hearing it elsewhere, even though it's so unapt?