> The "mistake" of so-called "strong colonies" mentioned before and immediately dismissed is likely the classic error of confusing population numbers with health.

I noticed that too, and I assumed that everyone understood that strong is a *relative* and not absolute term and varies with location, bee genetics  and management practices.  

Confusing relative with absolute metrics can lead to huge errors in judgement.

Health is assumed, too, but maybe never can be. taken for granted, but we know that in these days with varroa that apparentlty 'strong' colonies can suddenly collapse if health is not being monitored.

The writers who gloss over this tend to have a number of colonies to compare, either at hand on in recent experience, but where only one colony is being examined, the evaluation is more difficult.

Confusing mere numbers with health or viability is a mistake and is a very good point to repeat.

Old hands understand implicitly but this needs restating for those less experienced.  

Strength alone can be deceiving.

What any of this this has to do with cars and cell phones escapes me, though. 

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