Originally Posted by
asgelle
Actually, we're agreeing. If one begins with the premise that any effect is 0, then there is no way to calculate its magnitude. The first step is to recognize that the effect exists (which is what I was saying), the next is to determine its magnitude (a step I didn't feel like taking).
The
easy first step (by itself) produces no useful knowledge.
The last step is pretty much required (especially since the typical thing is to assume it's much larger than it is in reality).
Originally Posted by
asgelle
A small effect is infinitely times greater than no effect.
Not really in engineering (which balances the cost of something with the benefit).