Anecdotal Evidence

[RoadRunner79]

Anecdotes become more trustworthy the more mundane the claim. I read the meter on the scope and it read 8 units is trustworthy. I was visited by the ghost of Abraham Lincoln is not. It has to do with intervals of confidence. The chance that the report of the meter reading being false based on random variation is negligible. The chance of the ghost sighting being wrong by random variation is significant. Not to mention the factors which can conspire to render a witnesses statement worthless. There is less incentive to fabricate things with a mundane observation.

Interesting..... when I am inclined to fabricate something, I tend to keep it simple and easily believable (as well as low on details). Not to invite questions, or encourage people to check out my story.

And I have mistaken meter readings; far more often, then mistaking a visiting of a ghost of Lincoln... your mileage apparently varies.