"Pretending the science is emotionless and apathetic is counterproductive to the very things that drove us to do the science in the first place. Although we should attempt to be aware of, and distance, our emotions from the objective, data-based analysis of our research, admitting and demonstrating our passions (and why we feel so passionate) is critical in distilling science into the general population. Science should be done rationally and objectively but driven by emotional characteristics such as wonder, curiosity, and fascination."
Human knowledge has progressed exponentially since the dawn of modern science. It is no longer reasonable to accept claims without sufficient objective evidence. The harm from religion, alternatives to medicine, conservatism, and all other false beliefs will be exposed on this blog by reporting the findings of science. This blog will also reinforce what should be the basics of education: History, Civics, Financial Literacy, Media Literacy, and Critical/Science Based Thinking.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
The Need For Appealing To Emotions When Communicating Science
"Pretending the science is emotionless and apathetic is counterproductive to the very things that drove us to do the science in the first place. Although we should attempt to be aware of, and distance, our emotions from the objective, data-based analysis of our research, admitting and demonstrating our passions (and why we feel so passionate) is critical in distilling science into the general population. Science should be done rationally and objectively but driven by emotional characteristics such as wonder, curiosity, and fascination."
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Climate Change And The Details Of Science
"Many of the world's biggest problems require asking questions of scientists -- but why should we believe what they say? Historian of science Naomi Oreskes thinks deeply about our relationship to belief and draws out three problems with common attitudes toward scientific inquiry -- and gives her own reasoning for why we ought to trust science."
Click on the link below for the details of the best method to understand reality:
Thursday, December 28, 2023
An Excellent Tool For Teaching Critical Thinking To Children
Don't be put off by the title:
"The Sunday school teacher is out. Good thing a substitute is available: Satan!Directed by documentary filmmaker Zeke Piestrup (APOCALYPSE LATER: HAROLD CAMPING VS THE END OF THE WORLD) and produced by animation filmmaker Tim Johnson (ANTZ, OVER THE HEDGE, HOME)"
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
The Most Important Book I Ever Read
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The Republican War On Critical Thinking
Thursday, August 17, 2023
A Look At The Status Of Education In The USA
- Vocational/Trade Education is minimized.
- Many do not need a 4-year college education. It is overly expensive, with many majors not leading to liveable-wage employment.
- Civics needs to be more adequately presented.
- It should not be just one class in high school, it should begin in elementary school.
- Critical Thinking is essentially absent.
- Basic math (geometry, statistics, and algebra)
- Civics
- Critical thinking
- Reading (fiction; non-fiction)
- Writing
- Basic science (general physics, general biology, general chemistry)
- Basic US/world history
- Electives in prep for future: college; vocational/trade school
Thursday, July 6, 2023
A Tale Of Two Houses
Friday, February 10, 2023
An Example Of How To Handle Claims Even From The Credible
All of us are drowning in claims from very many sources. We are tempted to accept claims without scrutiny if the source has a good reputation in a pertinent field. Beau of the Fifth Column presents a simple tool to use even on reputable folks. Beau is using this claim as an example.
Click on the link below for details:
Saturday, January 28, 2023
TV And The Lowest Common Denominator
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Childhood Beliefs: Okay If Used To Introduce Critical Thinking Skills?
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Conspiracy Theories: The Fear Factor
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Are Atheists More Intelligent Than Christians?
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Motivated Reasoning
"One of the most significant ways information processing and decision-making becomes warped is through motivated reasoning, when biased reasoning leads to a particular conclusion or decision, a process that often occurs outside of conscious awareness."
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Critical Thinking/Skepticism: Brief But Important Points
What is critical thinking/skepticism and how it is valuable? Click on the links below for some brief and concise videos on such:
This tool will help improve your critical thinkingSkepticism: Why critical thinking makes you smarter
Why Schools Should Teach Skepticism Above Obedience
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Education: It Has Untruths
Among the many definitions of education is the process of gaining knowledge, which can be defined as justified, true belief. Unfortunately, many processes of education have not adjusted to the information gained through science. Click on the link below for a focus on 3 untruths found commonly in education:
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
OTHER Countries Are Doing It
For as long as I have been out of college I have been actively promoting critical /science-based thinking. I look around me in the USA and it seems that NO organization is doing anything to improve the dismal display of magical thinking and ignorance. Click on the link below for a brief video presenting what OTHER countries are doing to improve the situation:
Thursday, June 3, 2021
A Political Lesson From Socrates
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Medicine For The Brain
- "I think that crossword puzzles and brain training exercises can be quite helpful at making the roads in your brain that you use a lot already, keeping them strong. ... It's kind of the "practice makes perfect" part of your brain. And some of the brain games can actually increase your processing speed, the speed at which you process new content and new information. But I really do draw a line between that and keeping a brain sharper and building cognitive reserve throughout your life. That's different. You want to be doing different things in order to build that reserve, as opposed to doing the same thing better and better. There's a role for both, but if it's cognitive reserve you're looking for, doing different things — things that *get you outside your comfort zone* — it's probably going to have a much bigger payoff."