Tag: Critical Thinking

This flawed, unethical study will help fuel the multi-billion dollar homeopathic industry.

September 19, 2015

Does additional antimicrobial treatment have a better effect on URTI cough resolution than homeopathic symptomatic therapy alone? The absolute absurdity of this “published” research study is beyond mind boggling. The tragedy is that it will likely fulfill its purpose of serving as the reference cited for the phrase “clinically proven” that will appear on some … More This flawed, unethical study will help fuel the multi-billion dollar homeopathic industry.

The Other National Deficit – Critical Thinking

June 16, 2013

I am probably attempting to distill this too much but it seems that many of the problems in the world would disappear if we could teach our youth two things – to think critically and to recognize logical fallacies. Recognizing logical fallacies is part of critical thinking but deserves special attention because of their ubiquity … More The Other National Deficit – Critical Thinking

Not all information is equal

April 1, 2012

And some information is more equal than other but in today’s connected world the difference is becoming increasingly opaque. Advances in technology have eroded information filters that had historically allowed the consumption of information in a manner consistent with our ability to process it. Failure to differentiate meaningful information from informational background noise facilitates the … More Not all information is equal

Jindal’s berms: Critical thinking and politics

December 17, 2010

One of the most vivid images of the Gulf oil spill is that of Governor Bobby Jindal walking the shoreline and lambasting the administration for not moving quickly to build sand berms to protect the shore. He argued passionately that something had to be done and that the administration was failing.  What the administration did … More Jindal’s berms: Critical thinking and politics

Is the recession over and do you believe 1+1=2?

October 11, 2010

Is the answer to “Is 1+1=2” based in one’s belief or is it factual?  How about, “Is the recession over?”  Both are fact based. In a recent CNN poll* the question was asked, “Do you believe the recession is over?”.  74% responded saying the recession is not over.  This seems like a silly question to … More Is the recession over and do you believe 1+1=2?

Big business marketing is effective – too effective.

August 16, 2010

Sometimes I wonder if people realize that they are simply fodder for the great marketing machines of big business.  I understand and accept that marketing is a natural by-product of capitalism.  If something is offered for sale it is only natural to promote that item.  However, there is a  bifurcated problem.  There are no natural … More Big business marketing is effective – too effective.

The fuzzy line between news and entertainment

July 22, 2010

The undeniable conservative agenda of Fox News pushes their content out of the category of news into polarizing entertainment for those who share their beliefs.  Fox News is indeed more accurately described as Faux News.  They carry just  enough legitimate news stories to give the appearance of news.  Some are factual, some are blatantly false. … More The fuzzy line between news and entertainment