Actually correlation is not much better than speculation as correlation does NOT equal causation.
Yup. The same as anecdotes about Uncle Bill do not equal data.
Hey, that's MY line, lol! Is the ignorance of the two really so prevalent?
For Wild Turkey's (and any other that may be interested) perusal:
Main Entry: cor·re·la·tion
Pronunciation: "kor-&-'lA-sh&n, "kär-
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin correlation-, correlatio, from Latin com- + relation-, relatio relation
1 : the state or relation of being correlated; specifically : a relation existing between phenomena or things or between mathematical or statistical variables which tend to vary, be associated, or occur together in a way not expected on the basis of chance alone <the obviously high positive correlation between scholastic aptitude and college entrance
AND
Main Entry: cau·sa·tion
Pronunciation: ko-'zA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 a : the act or process of causing b : the act or agency which produces an effect
Enjoy!