a bigger point and the only discussion in the entire thread revolves around a throwaway example you poorly executed, but which wasn't really necessary to the overall discussion?

That's what I mean by a red herring. Stop being distracted by the fact that I misrepresented one study, and discuss (if you even want to) the main points. Too often on Cougarboard discussions devolve into point by point arguments that really aren't productive because they skirt the more important discussion.