The death of critical thinking
Lately, I have been barraged by a whole lot of shit that would benefit from a strong dose of critical thinking.
Many of the people who have been showering me with their "information" are not stupid by any means, just uninformed and of the opinion that "if it's in print, it must be true" or "if it's been around for a long time, it must be true" or best yet, "since I believe it, it must be true" (this is a good example of circular logic, which a strong dose of critical thinking would cure).
If you are emailed information on safety, health, politics, or anything else, please visit snopes.com before you pass it on. Here, you will find out that your cell phone number will not be released to telemarketers, Andy Rooney is not quite as much of a jackass as he is quoted as being, and gas stations are not charging credit card customers an extra $10 per transaction, among other things.
Just because something is in the news does not make it true. How can you tell what's true and what's not? By looking for bias and learning to recognize propaganda. Ask questions and think about the answer.
How can you evaluate the claims of a new natural remedy or health claim (or an old one)? Try the FDA for a start, followed by Quackwatch. Look for research on the product or system and learn how to evaluate the research. Ask questions and evaluate the answers. Remember, this is your health we're talking about. Do you want to risk that just because you didn't ask enough questions? Do you want to waste your money to be an example of the placebo effect?
Learn the scientific method and apply it to other research and situations. Try it on claims of psychic ability, hauntings of all sorts, astrology, and claims that vaccination will hurt you and your children.
Think. Be critical. Be a sceptic. Don't believe everything you hear. Please.
Thank you.
PS: And please don't assume I'm a Christian. My religion or lack thereof is none of your damned business.
Many of the people who have been showering me with their "information" are not stupid by any means, just uninformed and of the opinion that "if it's in print, it must be true" or "if it's been around for a long time, it must be true" or best yet, "since I believe it, it must be true" (this is a good example of circular logic, which a strong dose of critical thinking would cure).
If you are emailed information on safety, health, politics, or anything else, please visit snopes.com before you pass it on. Here, you will find out that your cell phone number will not be released to telemarketers, Andy Rooney is not quite as much of a jackass as he is quoted as being, and gas stations are not charging credit card customers an extra $10 per transaction, among other things.
Just because something is in the news does not make it true. How can you tell what's true and what's not? By looking for bias and learning to recognize propaganda. Ask questions and think about the answer.
How can you evaluate the claims of a new natural remedy or health claim (or an old one)? Try the FDA for a start, followed by Quackwatch. Look for research on the product or system and learn how to evaluate the research. Ask questions and evaluate the answers. Remember, this is your health we're talking about. Do you want to risk that just because you didn't ask enough questions? Do you want to waste your money to be an example of the placebo effect?
Learn the scientific method and apply it to other research and situations. Try it on claims of psychic ability, hauntings of all sorts, astrology, and claims that vaccination will hurt you and your children.
Think. Be critical. Be a sceptic. Don't believe everything you hear. Please.
Thank you.
PS: And please don't assume I'm a Christian. My religion or lack thereof is none of your damned business.
4 And you thought...
Great post! You should auto forward it to everyone who forwards "helpful" information to you! Last time I got the "forward this and Bill Gates will pay you money" email I replied with the Snopes site myself! :)
Meow sister!
bravo! very well written and not condesending in the least. i love the fact that even provided links for people to check these things out. =) with luck your post will make others think twice before blindly believing something they received in some crappy SPAM email or a quick blurp they caught on the late night news.
"My religion or lack thereof is none of your damned business."
I love it! I want to wear that on a tee shirt!!! If I still drove, I'd put it on a bumpersticker!!!!
Post a Comment
<< Home