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0 pointschris_wot10y ago0 comments

Nothing you've just stated negates the fact that personal accounts are only generalizable when backed by additional sources and/or data.

If there are 25,000 homeless and an EMT sees 1000 homeless people in a year (which I'd say I'm probably vastly over estimating) in situations where they are in greatest need, then all you have is a limited anecdotal view of a small proportion of the total population of homeless people at the lowest and least dignified point in their lives.

It doesn't tell you how they got to be in that situation.

It doesn't show you their day to day grind.

It doesn't indicate if they always want to be homeless, or you've just seen them when they are feeling defensive or aren't in full control of their faculties.

In short, it just shows you that because of the nature of being an EMT, he sees people in dire situations, on occasions that would frustrate anyone viewing the homeless person because of any number of high stress factors, including mental illness but also malnutrition, poor sleep or severe discomfort.

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blackrose10y ago

What is the point of being this pedantic? He said: in my experience, most of the homeless are not looking for help to find jobs and/or contribute to society in manner that will lead them out of "homelessness."

Let's look again: in my experience, most of the homeless are not looking for help to find jobs

And again: in my experience

In case you missed it: IN MY EXPERIENCE

He then goes on to explain his experience! It's called an anecdote. It doesn't mean it's generalizable. It means it's a data point, like saying a cheeseburger is "good." I don't preface every subjective, anecdotal statement with, "In my personal experience, but without citation or empirical data to back it up." He said all he needed, to where if you're asking for citation, you either lack reading comprehension skills or are just being a dick.

chris_wotOP10y ago

Your own reading comprehension seems rather lacking. All that was being said was that it would to good to get empirical data to see if the anecdotal evidence presented is backed up - it's good to validate the perceptions of the person on the coal face. Nobody is being dickish here, though you are getting very close.

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