1
Neither does it rule it out. Extended correlation DOES indicate connection. The fact that we do not understand the connection completely and cannot identify an effecient (or effective) cause doesn't equal the certain lack of a causal relationship. It just means we can't explain it; there are too many things opaque to us, and my guess is some of these things are opaque to the people that run the franchise. That's probably what you mean when you use the word "mystery." It's not magic or the lack thereof. And I don't believe it's just bad luck after all this time. Like you say, it's systemic.