The act of cherry-picking evidence from across a wide range of sources, but only selecting those singular examples that appear to support a broad, universal conclusion, thereby creating the illusion of comprehensive research. It’s a scatter-shot form of confirmation bias that uses geographic or categorical breadth to disguise its selective depth.
Example: "Her case for 'global cultural decline' was built on sweeping picking: one rude tourist in Paris, a viral video of a fight in Bangkok, and a canceled art show in New York. She'd swept the globe for anecdotes, carefully picking only the ones that fit her pre-written thesis of doom."
by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026
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