People watching in San Antonio (Lone Star: to buy, numbers, person)
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I'd just like to know if this is a paying gig, and if so, can I get in on it? I've been people watching at HEB's all over San Antonio and all I got from it was a few free samples!
Check out my in-depth and highly analytical research here.
OMG! You're freakin' hilarious! I had to add your blogspot to my favorites!
OP needs to read up on the concept of a statistically significant, random sample. I don't
see how the sample described passes either of those tests.
Given the scope and duration of my observations, I don't see how what I saw was not statistically significant - in all, I observed roughly 2,000 people. In data collection, that is more than adequate in establishing a trend.
So, what was your statistical sample frame? What research did you do prior to selecting your locations? Can you provide some sort of gathering method other than "what you saw?"
Unless you actually talked with the people you watched in order to gain insight into to "the culture or general attitudes, beliefs, or ideals of a general population" then your time was wasted, I'm afraid.
Analysis of a population group based solely on personal impressions or opinion is a deeply flawed method. It comes down to how you and someone else may look at a glass of water. Half empty or half full?
--Dim
It's true, in terms of establishing true attributes of a given population, one must be careful to not make sweeping generalizations based on preconceived notions.
It's true, I did not speak with the individuals I observed. However, for me, what I saw - large numbers of obese, slovenly people who cared little for their physical appearance - is good enough evidence for me to make a conclusion about the general characteristics of San Antonio.
My sampling frame was the diverse locations I went to. By going at different times of the day and week, I was able to see similarities between a large number of individuals.
Perhaps my conclusions were biased because I really do not like San Antonio at all, so it's possible my observations were negatively influenced by the dislike I have for this city. However, similarities in appearance are just things that one can't "make up".
There is definitely a San Antonio "look" and distinct cultural identity.
Perhaps my conclusions were biased because I really do not like San Antonio at all, so it's possible my observations were negatively influenced by the dislike I have for this city.
May I ask what it is about San Antonio that you dislike? I'm also curious to know why you would remain in a city for which you have such a strong dislike. If I found myself in a place where I was unhappy, I would do my damndest to get the hell outta dodge. Why are you still there?
It's true, in terms of establishing true attributes of a given population, one must be careful to not make sweeping generalizations based on preconceived notions.
It's true, I did not speak with the individuals I observed. However, for me, what I saw - large numbers of obese, slovenly people who cared little for their physical appearance - is good enough evidence for me to make a conclusion about the general characteristics of San Antonio.
My sampling frame was the diverse locations I went to. By going at different times of the day and week, I was able to see similarities between a large number of individuals.
Perhaps my conclusions were biased because I really do not like San Antonio at all, so it's possible my observations were negatively influenced by the dislike I have for this city. However, similarities in appearance are just things that one can't "make up".
There is definitely a San Antonio "look" and distinct cultural identity.
Thanks for answering, Infinity. You are certainly allowed to develop and express your opinion. Just be careful when you couch such an opinion in terms of a scientific study.
San Antonio is a lot like any other city in the US of A. One group may appear to be the dominant population type. In rural Iowa, for example, I would assume that the majority of people living out there are caucasian, and the opposite would be true in Harlem.
I don't dispute that there are a lot of overweight folks living in SA. My family and I just moved here from Northern VA and I have seen quite a bit of heft walking around. However, I have also seen a lot of thin, healthy people walking on the sidewalks in neighborhoods. What you see depends on where you go.
I would expect to find a high concentration of heavy people in places where food is sold, whether a restaurant or grocery store. If you had gone to nothing but health food stores, gyms, and parks you may have found a slightly different take. (I'm assuming that bias would color your views, so perhaps you'd see 5 heavyset people in a crowd of 500 and make what you'd want...)
How flattering that my observations have sparked science! This thread is hilarious and I think everyone should enjoy it for what it is. I engage in scientific inquiry for a living, so I would be the first person to suggest that what infinity & beyond did was not solid science. That does not invalidate her/his conclusions, though.
In my earlier post, I had suggested that transplants go to grocery stores to people-watch, because other spots can be deceiving. For example, I had previously people-watched and had concluded that SA looked pretty nice after a time on the Riverwalk (then it hit me that it was mostly well-to-do conference attendees in business wear, from out-of state places!!). And once I went to the Pappadeaux restaurant to meet a friend who was in town for business. I looked around and said, "Wow, ok, maybe there are some put-together people in this city," to which my friend replied, "Nope, they're all business travelers like me, staying in the dozen hotels that border the airport and the freeway." Shoot, I thought, two strikes against SA.
So, you see, that leaves H.E.B. and other grocery stores as the place to get the most random sample possible (not truly random, though). Grocery stores are the great equalizer--almost everyone goes, and they're all local people. Take out the business travelers and tourists, and SA is comprised of mostly what infinity & beyond describes.
Now, as a PhD. in science, I would normally encourage one to engage a stratified sampling technique to get a decent sample (if examining differences between a Kansas City and Denver). However, in my experience, San Antonio is so exaggeratedly unique in its look and feel that a random dab will do ya for a good SA vs. any other U.S. city imaginable. That's why transplants who want to check out ANY city should hit the grocery stores especially.
One additional factor Infinity, (out of about a hundred more) do not forget that every good scientist has a control group when conducting an experiment. Since you didn't mention one in your study, I assume that you did not conduct your experiment in other towns of similar size, demographics, etc.
Ultimately, remeber what Upton Sinclair says, "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." While your salary may not be at stake, it is apparent to me that your negative biases make it just as difficult for you to apply objective analysis.
Status:
"I have officially CHECKED out!"
(set 29 days ago)
Location: Texas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SanAntoQT
May I ask what it is about San Antonio that you dislike? I'm also curious to know why you would remain in a city for which you have such a strong dislike. If I found myself in a place where I was unhappy, I would do my damndest to get the hell outta dodge. Why are you still there?
I could be off base.. but I believe the reason Infinity is still here is they havent found (or havent started looking for) another job somewhere else... I could be off base though on that, as it was definitly not a scientific sampling that I took!
I could be off base.. but I believe the reason Infinity is still here is they havent found (or havent started looking for) another job somewhere else... I could be off base though on that, as it was definitly not a scientific sampling that I took!
Hmmm...I guess I'm the more adventurous type. When I left San Antonio (which I absolutely love, by the way) and came to San Diego, I had absolutely no job prospects and have fared pretty well.
Sure, people watching is fun...but I prefer to focus exclusively on girl watching.
So far, the upstairs balcony by Lane Bryant at the North Star Mall seems to be the best place.
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This thread is hilarious and I think everyone should enjoy it for what it is. I engage in scientific inquiry for a living, so I would be the first person to suggest that what infinity & beyond did was not solid science. That does not invalidate her/his conclusions, though. 
