A mathematician, Abraham Wald, pointed out that perhaps the reason certain areas of the planes weren’t covered in bullet holes was that planes that were shot in certain critical areas did not return.
This insight led to the armor being re-enforced on the parts of returning planes where there were no bullet holes. This wisdom was also beneficially applied to the Skyraider during the Korean War.
This shows that the reasons why we are missing certain data may be more meaningful than the available data, itself.
So, in all the many questions we ask here on GAW, don’t only listen to what the evidence says, listen also to what is not being said.
Have to admit, as simple as this is, many of us forget to look at it from that perspective. Great post!