As sociologists, we are trained to look for broad social patterns. Often, we do this using survey data from hundreds or even thousands of people and using complicated statistical procedures to account for differences between our sample and our population. Recognizing this, I’ve heard sociologists use the disclaimer that their personal experiences are based on an “N of one,” meaning that they are drawing conclusions from a sample of one. As we know, though, the general public does not hold itself to the same standard. I was recently reminded of this when an Australian teenager’s Facebook picture of an 11-inch “Footlong” sub from Subway caused people to freak out. Here it is:
One Subway sandwich in Australia was less than 12 inches long and suddenly people assumed that all subway sandwiches are less than 12 inches long. People sued. Subway responded that baking times may lead to differences in the size of their bread but that they are increasing their efforts to ensure consistency.
On one hand, it is incredible that a single picture posted on a social network can lead to a response from a major corporation. On the other hand, N of one!
Memoirs of a SLACer 
[…] Just in time for the Super Bowl, a recent Rolling Stone article examines the effects of concussions on young people’s brains. Although the article is behind a pay wall, a video discussing the effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, can be seen here. When faced with the evidence from a doctor who specializes in CTE, one father responded “You haven’t convinced me. I’ll need more evidence than that.” It is amazing that when it comes to things like CTE or global warming that threaten the lives of our children or the future of our planet mountains of scientific evidence will not convince us of their danger. I suspect that many of these same people, however, would be outraged by a single picture of a shorter-than-average sandwich from Subway. […]
[…] previously discussed the fact that the general public doesn’t typically use the same standards as researchers to arrive at their conclusions. In that post, I explained, “I’ve heard sociologists use the […]