Selective Evidence

When a suggested strategy is declared to be “evidence-based” there’s almost always a critical word missing from that statement.

It’s not simply evidence-based.

It’s selectively evidence-based.

By definition it must be.

To present evidence, we first have to select it. Inevitably the complexity of the world means that in almost every instance, only a fraction of the available findings are ever likely to be presented.

Which then appear to be absolute and conclusive. But so often aren’t. Having been consciously or subconsciously curated to support a particular perspective.

For example, if the majority of the evidence indicates one thing to be true… this often means that the minority of the evidence suggests an alternative possibility.

Meaning the important missing evidence is now the direction and speed of

ch a   n     g       e.

Or not.

Remember it’s not what the evidence-based arguments tell you. It’s what the selectively evidence-based arguments suggest to you – and more critically, how you choose to interpret the facts presented.

And not presented.

So even when the evidence may seem definitive, pause to consider the counterfactual. Invest an extra moment reviewing the source that claims to support the evidence presented – but quite often doesn’t.

Because in a world where compelling evidence-based arguments can be generated in an instant, your ability to think critically has now become even more

critical.

Evidently.