I don't mind being "debunked", especially if it's done with some intelligence and grace. So when someone is thoughtful enough to take on something I've posted in such detail, I tend to pay attention.
Of course, I never meant this chart to be interpreted as empirical proof of anything. Indeed, I posted without expansion so that it could speak for itself. In my mind, it was meant simply to indicate what I thought was an interesting trend.
I'm glad that the chart sparked this sort of discussion, because I find it fascinating. Let's keep in mind, though, that I was a History major- not a statistician.
