Doing Science starts with an idea, that is turned into a hypothesis; then one considers how the hypothesis can be tested, and proceed to test it. Testing may disprove it completely, or facts might give evidence for a modified hypothesis, or facts might uncover evidence for a nearly unconnected hypothesis -- for example, while examining the patterns of spider webs, one might notice a new species of insect.Originally Posted by Ezekiel
The responses here so far suggest an "excess" of blonde haired individuals associated with CD/TG/TS. Is there actual correlation to that, or is it selective response (i.e., the non-blondes tend not to reply), or is it socio-economic related (Caucasians appear to be over-represented on this board relative to the general population) ? At least two of those possibilities lead to ideas worth further thought.
Was the original hypothesis that all CD / TG / TS is associated with blonde hair? No. Some genetic mutations occur more commonly with particular hair colours. That doesn't mean that no-one else has those mutations, and that doesn't mean that any one mutation is the only cause of some result -- but it does mean that if you pick a blonde person at random from the population of the earth and you pick a red-haired person at random from the population of the earth, then there are some conditions that are more probable in the blonde, and there are some conditions that are more probable with the red-head.
The fun being poked here is, by the way, around the fact that so many of us spend so much time looking for "reasons" why we are as we are. None the less, if I were to end up with an Ignoble Prize out of this ("Science that makes you laugh, and then think"), I would be happy to accept
