Facebook Faux Pas

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understandinguncertainty.org was produced by the Winton programme for the public understanding of risk based in the Statistical Laboratory in the University of Cambridge. The aim was to help improve the way that uncertainty and risk are discussed in society, and show how probability and statistics can be both useful and entertaining.

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I was on Facebook today and was scrolling down my feed and noticed a video stating that yesterday was 'National Debbie Day'. I decided to share with a former coworker whom is a Facebook friend. I rarely communicate with her but always thought she was a nice person. Thinking I was making a nice gesture, I wrote "Sorry, a day late, but never too late to celebrate!" As I was posting my message it occurred to me that her husband had passed away last winter and she might be mourning a death anniversary and not be in the mood to receive such a message. However, I did not anticipate that her husband had passed away exactly a year and a day ago. As I scrolled down my Facebook feed the very next post was one she had posted yesterday saying that she felt shattered by the loss of her husband; her best friend who had passed away on that day. I quickly deleted my post...certainly she would not be in the mood to celebrate. I wonder if some Facebook algorithm was involved with the proximity of 'The National Debbie Day post and her own post. I also haven't had much contact with Debbie and the last thing I remember was reading about her husband passing away. I guess it would not be surprising that it would be on my mind. It still felt a little freaky!
Total votes: 290
Date submitted:Sat, 10 Feb 2018 22:36:39 +0000Coincidence ID:9857