The burden of proof is on the commenter that generalized. The plural of anecdote is not data. Generalizing that widely without very explicit proof is a pretty poor idea, from an argumentative standpoint.
Meanwhile, plenty of frats also do projects that improve their communities and campuses, and raise money for good causes. The "apparent trend" doesn't exist, and if it does I'll ask you to prove it.
Prove the "apparent trend" exists? Okay, let's try to "prove" it to you. I just did the following google search: site:cnn.com "fraternity members". Let's see what the "apparent trend" is! Starting at the top:
1. Pi Delta Psi members charged in hazing incident
2. Video shows chilling aftermath of university shooting (victims AND actor(s) were fraternity members/pledges, btw)
3. Zeta Beta Tau fraternity members disrespected us, wounded veterans say
4. New clues in death of Clemson fraternity pledge Tucker Hipps (this one's about hazing)
5. Schools knew of trouble before student deaths (hazing)
6. Video shows chilling aftermath of university shooting (same incident as 2.)
7. Sigma Nu frat at Old Dominion suspended for offensive banners
8. SAE brothers at OU facing death threats, assaults, lawyer says (don't get the title wrong, this one is as much about the racist chants of SAE frat members caught on video as it is about the death threats they received afterward)
9. U. of Oklahoma fraternity shuttered after racist chant
10. Fraternities: 'A form of American apartheid' (Opinion)
So, you still think the "apparent trend" doesn't exist? You could get similar results doing an informal poll. Just walk around asking people who weren't in a frat, "What do you think of frats?"
As I said originally, all of this could be biased and misleading and just plain wrong. But not at least saying "Yeah, I admit, frats appear to be pretty fucked up" is just disingenuous and isn't going to convince anyone.
The burden of proof is on the commenter that generalized.. The plural of anecdote is not data... Generalizing that widely without very explicit proof is a pretty poor idea, from an argumentative standpoint.... and if it does I'll ask you to prove it
As a skeptic myself, the fact that so many of us can't seem to understand that human lives and opinions are not run by deductive reasoning and exhaustive proofs really does us a disservice. If you want to change minds and make real change, you should get to know how people think. If you want to be considered an out-of-touch blow-hard, keep on talking about the burden of proof. Trust me, I've been that guy, I know.
I realize I may have been fairly harsh in my choice of words. I'm making a note now not to get so angry.
I can admit that the media portrays frats as "fucked up", I just don't agree that that's the truth. I think I may have misread your argument, or in any case responded to the wrong part of it.
I agree that frats could be kept under better watch by universities and colleges, and that those specific case that you show shouldn't have happened.
At the same time, though, frats are not just a means to an end for partying and racism at college. This much is clear because of the good many frats do for their communities.
I'll concede that there's an apparent trend portrayed by the media. I just disagree with it.
Anecdotes often lack rigidity or quantification, and they may be based on preconceived notions rather than genuine hypotheses.
You're right in a sense, but you have to be careful as to how you sample anecdotes for them to be factual rather than anecdotal evidence. "I talked to some guys from a frat and they were mean, thus all frat guys are mean" does not logically follow.
Meanwhile, plenty of frats also do projects that improve their communities and campuses, and raise money for good causes. The "apparent trend" doesn't exist, and if it does I'll ask you to prove it.