An Anecdote about Anecdotes

I often hear academic types, and general arguers, get all puffed up, on their high horse, about how anecdotes don’t prove anything.  The main idea is that it isn’t a scientific experiment (like experiments flawless), and is no evidence at all.  And in fact that an anecdote should be looked upon in disdain.  Well, as far as I can see this is just formalized brain-washing to denigrate these little stories when in fact the often have value.  Firstly, while they don’t prove an idea, a real life example related to the idea can definitely lend support to the truth of the matter.  This experience could be an exception, or fall in the minority of cases, but it is still evidence.  But there is one case where an anecdote can conclusively prove or disprove an idea.  That’s when someone states a generality.  Like “All apples are red.”  Well, I say, “Yesterday, I ate a green apple.”  My little one incident anecdote totally and thoroughly disproves the statement.

Now, anecdotes can be misused by a particular person, if they claim that their one incident of some happening proves that all cases are the same.  This would just be bad logic.  But the more anecdotes supporting an idea, the more evidence builds up, especially if there is not evidence to the contrary.  That means perhaps serious attention ought to be given to the idea supported by the numerous anecdotes, though further conclusive evidence must be gathered.  So, lay off the anecdotes, OK?