[freeandfreezing]

The author is trying to make a reasonable point, but his statement that "the actual root of this analogy is the precautionary principle, a deeply flawed approach to risk management" is incorrect. He goes on to say "The idea being that the introduction of a new product or process whose impact is unknown or disputed should be resisted." That's not what the Skittles analogy is about either.

The Skittles analogy is simple, and it hard to see how anyone could misunderstand it - unless they are intentionally pretending to "misunderstand" it.

The actual basis of the analogy is common sense - why take a serious, preventable risk, even if it is a relatively low probability, and even if the higher probability outcome is a good thing.

[wastoute]

I distinctly remember a Pharmacology Professor telling us in med school that he would not prescribe a new drug until it had been on the market for six years.