The Key Message from the Authors' Discussion of Crop Circles

question 158

Multiple Choice

The key message from the authors' discussion of crop circles is that

• A)aliens or some form of extraterrestrial being have been trying to communicate with humans for hundreds of years.
• B)the causes of some real-world events are unexplainable and unknowable.
• C)scientific thinkers must select the simpler of two claims that fit with the available evidence.
• D)hoaxers often impede scientific progress into the understanding of unexplainable events like the English crop circles.

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Definitions:

Average Total Cost

The total cost of production divided by the number of units produced, used to analyze cost behaviors in economics.

Producer Surplus

The difference between the amount producers are willing and able to sell a product for and the actual amount they receive, often representing profit.

Total Surplus

The total net gain for society derived from the creation and utilization of goods or services, calculated as the combined value of consumer and producer surplus.

Net Welfare Gain

The improvement in societal well-being, measured as the sum of consumer and producer surplus, arising from economic transactions or policy changes.