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The attractive pattern

Three similar events tempt someone to announce a rule.

Short journal · Original editorial · Observation before explanation

Three similar events tempt someone to announce a rule.

An explanation should not erase the observation that prompted it. Record what happened, under which conditions, and what you still do not know. A plausible interpretation can remain a hypothesis while you decide what would help distinguish it from alternatives.

Describe the small sample and look for a counterexample.

Leave an easy return path where possible. Changing a method should not require pretending the earlier attempt never existed.

Try a question

What would you notice after trying this in one small, real situation?