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wasoxygen  ·  3412 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: A Three-Question Quiz To Test Your Rationality

Not exactly because it is specific, but the specific details form a narrative that sounds plausible.

The Black Swan descibes Kahneman and Tversky asking forecasting professionals to give odds on the following two events:

a. A massive flood somewhere in America in which more than a thousand people die.

b. An earthquake in California, causing massive flooding, in which more than a thousand people die.

The first event was rated less likely than the second, even though that description includes the second scenario and more.

Another example:

Joey seemed happily married. He killed his wife.

This seems unlikely; it doesn't make sense.

Joey seemed happily married. He killed his wife to get her inheritance.

Now it seems more likely, even though we have reduced the possible scope of causes.