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The causal loop you mentioned makes social science hard, but I’d argue that falsification and hypothesis-driven research can still work. Otherwise all the behavioral targeting Meta and Google and co are doing would not work.


If private enterprise want to fund marketing research, fine.

It’s the social science academics living off the public purse I take issue with.


So what? I pay taxes too, and I want social scientists to be paid using tax dollars for the work they do, which I find valuable. There's plenty I take issue with my taxes being paid for but I just put up with it because we live in a society where my priorities aren't the only ones. Why can't you take that approach with social scientists?


Why should it bother you that my interests don’t align perfectly with yours.

Having said that, I appreciate the wide point you’re making.


> Why should it bother you that my interests don’t align perfectly with yours.

That's exactly what I'm saying! It doesn't bother me that your interests don't align with mine, I help pay for them anyway... why can't you take that position with social science?




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