From Skeptical Inquirer Presents:
The spread of misinformation has reached epidemic proportions. Thankfully, science has found a solution, inoculation theory, which applies the logic of vaccines to misinformation.
Melanie Trecek-King is the creator of Thinking Is Power, an online resource that provides engaging and accessible critical thinking content. Trecek-King is an Associate Professor of Biology at Massasoit Community College, where she teaches a general-education science course designed to equip students with empowering critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy skills. An active speaker and consultant, Trecek-King loves to share her “teach skills, not facts” approach with other science educators, and to help schools and organizations meet their goals through better thinking.
Links from the presentation
How to inoculate yourself against misinformation
Teach skills, not facts
Characteristics of pseudoscience
How to sell pseudoscience
Wake up, Sheeple
Please don’t fail me
Teacher’s guide to Cranky Uncle
I’m a retired electronic engineer. I am not a scientist. For me, science is part of my toolbox. I used both the results of science and the scientific method in my work. In many ways I’m fortunate to have a poor memory. Understanding how things work allows me treason my way to the information I need. And yes, it’s important to realize that conclusions change as new facts are found.