Why do you believe what you believe? How do you know if something is true? Do you really know as much as you think you do? Is your media diet misinforming you?
This section provides the foundations of critical thinking that will help you think better and be empowered to make better decisions for yourself, your family, and your community.
Scarlett’s* post on my town’s Facebook page was going viral. “Be on the lookout for poison oak!” it warned, alongside an image of her nasty rash. Commenters were sharing their own encounters with poison oak, and […]
Thinking Critically About Experts (And Poison Ivy) Read More »
The modern world was built by science. From medicine to agriculture to transportation to communication… Science’s importance is undeniable. And yet, people deny science. Not just any science, of course. (Gravity and cell theory are okay,
Give Science Denial the FLICC Read More »
These six words have different meanings when scientists use them The vocabulary of science can be quite confusing. Not only do scientists use highly technical jargon, they sometimes use the same words as the general public…
How to Speak Science Read More »
There are many misconceptions about the process of science is and how it works, so let’s dive in and address some of the more common ones head-on. There is no single “scientific method”: The recipe-like “scientific
Addressing common misconceptions about science Read More »
And why much of what you learned in science class is wrong Think back to your last science class. You probably used a huge textbook full of facts that you had to memorize for exams. You
Science: What it is, how it works, and why it matters Read More »
Post truth. Alternative facts. Fake news. It’s enough to make anyone want to throw in the towel. Information affects how we think and act. A good media diet allows us to make better decisions for ourselves
Don’t be fooled… fact check! Read More »
We are drowning in misinformation. From celebrities selling their favorite diets and supplements online, to fringe medical “professionals” hawking pseudoscientific treatments on social media, to conspiracy theorists enticing followers down the rabbit hole on youtube, it’s
How to inoculate yourself against misinformation Read More »
Resources to Learn More Logically FallaciousYour Logical Fallacy Is Effectiviology: Logical Fallacies: What they are and how to counter themCampus Explorer: 20 Types of Logical Fallacies and Examples
Guide to the Most Common Logical Fallacies Read More »
SURVIVORSHIP BIAS Written by Jon Guy Definition and explanation: The survivorship bias is a cognitive error that occurs when we focus on the existing elements of something (i.e., the ones that “survived”), while ignoring those that
Guide to the Most Common Cognitive Biases and Heuristics Read More »
A Life Preserver for Staying Afloat in a Sea of Misinformation As a science educator, my primary goals are to teach students the essential skills of science literacy and critical thinking. Helping them understand the process
FLOATER: A Tool-Kit for Evaluating Claims Read More »
