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 thinking

Skepticism: Why critical thinking makes you smarter

Why Schools Should Teach Skepticism Above Obedience

OTHER Countries Are Doing It

"So if we can’t regulate the 'news' or even stop trolls and foreign operatives from inciting Americans, how can we activate the 'immune system' of democracy?"

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:

How Does America Solve Its "Fake News" Crisis?

A Child Teaches Children About Humanism

Elle Harris, the nine-year-old author of the humanist book Elle the Humanist, is a bright star of critical thinking and humanism for doing more than her part in educating her peers in such. If you are a humanist/atheist/free-thinking parent of a young student and are looking for resources to aid you in passing on how to think outside of the magical thinking fog around us, this should be given serious consideration. Below are two links presenting Elle:

Elle the Humanist: an Interview with a young Humanist Author

Elle the Humanist (FFRF video)

A Crash Course In Critical Thinking

To move from gullibility/credulity/magical thinking to critical thinking/skepticism/science-based thinking is one of the most difficult actions a person can take. Why? The human brain has flaws and is resistant to change for many reasons. If you are thinking in the former way and are open-minded enough to unbiasedly consider the alternative, this post is for you. Click on the link below and you will find one of the better articles on the subject. It is worthy of the label of "Critical Thinking 101" at the college level.

How to Think Critically and Stay Informed in a Sea of Misinformation

A Skeptical Look At Bitcoin/Cryptocurrency

 "What [bitcoins] lack is their own fundamental intrinsic value. You can’t do anything with a bitcoin, other than trade it for something you want. So, intrinsically, the bitcoin itself has no value. It only has value as a medium of exchange so long as people are willing to accept it." ~Peter Schiff

The links below are a representative sample of skeptical thought on a financial entity that reminds me of the Dutch Tulip Craze:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I4QMSFZjJQ&feature=share

https://nakamotoinstitute.org/the-skeptics/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/billybambrough/2020/12/04/another-crypto-skeptic-suddenly-flips-to-bitcoin-but-adds-a-stark-warning/?sh=17a9013b5aac

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-crypto-currencies/financial-firms-and-governments-deeply-sceptical-of-cryptocurrencies-survey-idUSKBN26K2IF

John Oliver in 2018

UPDATE: 5/23/2021: Paul Krugman

Let the buyer beware!!!  Following are links to information on one of the most prominent promoters of bitcoin: the promotion; the person behind it.

Research In Support Of Surgery Is Thin, But - - -

"Professor Ian Harris takes us on a brilliant journey of scientific discovery, uncovering the true heart of skeptical inquiry via an analysis of common orthopaedic surgical procedures and other medical interventions that have been shown through clinical trials to be no more effective than placebo."

The video below is an extensive expose of a major problem in surgery, especially in orthopedics: lack of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). However, while this analysis is from a skeptical view, skepticism should also be used by the individual regarding a serious decision regarding surgery. There are many times when the decision to have surgery IS rational and valid. I have had many orthopedic surgeries that were successful and if I didn't make the decision for surgery the quality of my life would have been adversely affected. In each case, I was patient and did the appropriate physical therapy (I am a physical therapist) without success. In other words, it is important for the individual to take the appropriate steps to maximize the chances that the problem at hand is not self-limiting and, thus, making the choice for surgery wise.

Click on the link below:

Surgery: the Ultimate Placebo

The Person Who Introduced Me To Skepticism

 One of the giants of skepticism has died at 92. I first was exposed to him on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson many decades ago. Here and here are collections of YouTube videos from those shows and other media. Here is an example of his ability to expose' psychic powers. Enjoy.

James Randi - Wikipedia

If A Statement Feels Good, Does That Make It True?

 "If you repeat something enough times, it comes to feel good and true."

The above statement is a key to understanding the success of both advertisements and indoctrination. Click on the link below for a brief video showing that the ways information is presented to us can significantly affect how we interpret such.

The Illusion of Truth

Magical Thinking In-Depth

"Even hard-core skeptics can't help but find sympathy in the fabric of the universe—and occasionally try to pull its strings."

Below is a link to one of the best presentations of the concept of magical thinking I have read:

Psychology Today: Magical Thinking

H/T to my Facebook friend Jay Feldman, who posted on Facebook his synopsis of the article (link), which prompted this post on my blog.

Magic And Skepticism

Click on the link below for a video by Matt Dillahunty that is an interesting and informative presentation of how the use of magic can enlighten people to the truth and value of skepticism/science-based thinking:

Magic and skepticism

Alternatives To Medicine CAN Be Attacked

All anyone needs to do to see how pervasive alternatives to medicine is in our society is to walk into a pharmacy, watch TV/YouTube advertisements, or have a Facebook account. The video below shows how skepticism activism can begin to change this magical thinking:

Little-Known Acts of Skepticism and How to Join the Home Front for Science

Don't Confuse The Two

I am a skeptic, which is generally a questioning attitude or doubt towards one or more items of putative knowledge or belief or dogma. Because of such, I have exposed myself to a wide variety of media to increase my knowledge. One such medium was a website called https://skeptico.blogs.com/. Unfortunately, the name "skeptico" has been highjacked by a nefarious organization by changing the "c" to a "k". Because of such, the legitimate website is inactive and the bogus site is thriving. Be aware of the difference!! Below are two websites that further clarify the situation:

Alex Tsakiris - Rational Wiki

Skeptiko - Media Bias Fact Check

Most Atheists ARE Open-Minded

Most atheists are skeptical/science-based thinkers, thus, they will change their minds but ONLY with sufficient evidence.

Is Atheism Open-Minded?

The Theist Guide To Converting Atheists

An Ironic Promotion Of Free Choices

The local YMCA camp, among its lessons and activities says it promotes independent thinking about choices, but forces the participants to accept religion.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/helping-others/summer-camp-fund/article211200944.html

The Growing Economic Inequality in the USA

It is always best to understand a problem through the best evidence available.  Contrary to the Republican lies, this is a major problem and, somehow, it has to be resolved or the USA is doomed.

In stark graph form

Increased debt and inequality has lead to financial crises

If You Think Science-Based Thinking Can't Be Taught, You Are Wrong

Recently, I have been, once again, exposed to the myth that science-based thinking can't be taught.  What my interlocutor is saying is true, IF, he really means that it is NOT being taught.  The following links show that it CAN be taught and WILL be taught IF society has the will to do so.

https://www.aacu.org/peerreview/2016/Fall/Stanford

https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/periodicals/Rosenshine.pdf

http://www.sciencemag.org/features/2015/09/effective-teaching-be-effective-educator-get-active

https://www.nap.edu/read/4962/chapter/5

https://uncw.edu/jet/articles/Vol13_2/Kraus.pdf

The "Wisdom" Of Focusing On Mathematics?

A very interesting counter to the prevailing “wisdom” of the importance of mathematics. Frankly, how about focusing on science based thinking instead?

Have you used trigonometry since you were 18?

Yes, I Do Realize That My Blog Will Not Change The Minds Of Most

What's on my mind? How difficult it is to change beliefs. My recent interlocutor on my blog did make the valid statement that the evidence is thin that preaching to the religious and other purveyors of pseudoscience has a significant effect. So, why do I do what I do on my blog and on Facebook? Frankly, I have had many periods of depression over such. That said, what should I do, give up? I am just committed to telling the truth. If that only means supporting us like-minded folks, I will accept that as a worthy goal.

Science-Based Thinking Is Not That Difficult

Some folks who are very intelligent and knowledgeable do not get this basic way of looking at reality.  Then again, some young children have no problem with it:

Neil deGrasse Tyson Applied Science to the Tooth Fairy

Yes, this is how adults should behave.

"Believe Me."

The most frequent phrase of Donald Trump in his quest for the most powerful political office on the planet is, "Believe me."**  Does it sound familiar?  Essentially, it is the mantra of all individuals in positions of power to get his or her followers to believe them.  Do any of the followers of such people ask the important question, "Why?"  Of course not.  From politicians, religious leaders, medical quacks, et al, it is the same:  do not question me, I have the answers.  THIS is the reason for this blog.  THIS is the reason I have devoted the remainder of my life to exposing this bogus process of depriving people of their innate ability to critically think.  Virtually every evil done by a group of any size uses the "Believe me" mantra, explicitly as Trump does, or implicitly, as most others do.

If you question this, please take what I am saying and look back through history to see the pattern.  Look at the religious leaders, the political leaders, the quack medical leaders.  Belief without evidence is not going to get you to the truth.  Demand evidence from any and all who say, in effect, "Believe me", but without supporting evidence.  Science has given us so much information.  It is up to all of us to absorb this information and analyze it, in the light of what scientific experts working in the appropriate fields say that can address the questions you have.

The culture of the USA, and the rest of the world,  is generally ignorant.  Now, before you get your panties in a wad, just do a simple internet search of "Ignorance in the world" and read at least several links.

If you can honestly see yourself as one who accepts the "Believe me" without supporting evidence, then you have a choice: remain ignorant, or be a skeptic/critical thinker and use the resources readily available to educate yourself.  If you agree with me and have been a like-minded thinker, please spread this rare, but valuable, commodity.

** According to multiple reputable fact-checkers, Trumps statements are mostly false.