Critical Thinking

Not many of my friends know this, but I'm actually a huge fan of skeptics.

In response to what v1n said, it is unfortunately a common case. People have been preying on other people's fears and lack of critical thinking -- though part of the blame also rests with the buyers for supporting them in the first place. So are those scammers really aware of what they are doing? Are they just con-men or devoted believers? The answer may be either one -- the difference is that one has better intentions, but the common thing they share is that they are both destructive.

Sadly we're in a country that lacks a lot critical thinking. I suspect it might have something to do with the government schools not teaching it, but I'll save that rant for another time.

To get back to the matter at hand, skepticism is important because it is what keeps us from becoming a "sucker" and a "suckee". I can't explain the whole thing here because I doubt I have neither the time to explain nor I can hold your interest with words alone. What I can do on the other hand is suggest some good ways to push you in the right direction.

Here Be Dragons



This is a primer for critical thinking and I highly recommend it. It's a 40-minute video presentation that should get you started in understanding the importance and application of critical thinking; courtesy of one of my favourite skeptics, Brian Dunning of Skeptoid.com. Oh and did I mention it is free? Yeah it's free for download and distribution.You can watch the video at the home page or download it here (I personally used the torrent option).

Penn & Teller: Bullshit!

This is one of the best series I have ever seen in my life, really. If there was any reason I was so interested in skeptics or I've become more fascinated in learning it's because of these guys. Bullshit! is a documentary series which looks at pseudoscience, supernatural beliefs and misconceptions. Their arguments are from a libertarian's stance (one that I can get behind and fully agree with). The aim of the series is apply critical thinking into these subject matters. The presentation and writing I must say is excellent, it never strays away from the point they wish to make and whenever they do a sketch listen carefully, the message is still there. The series is currently at Season 6 as I post this. The series has achieved worldwide success in several different countries, but not ours nor our neighbours because apparently the TV stations here have a standard for not airing anything good (...). There is a way for you to watch the series, but I think you can figure out how by now...

Quackwatch
Quackwatch.com is a site operated by Dr. Stephen Barrett. The site states that is aims to that aims to "combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct" with a primary focus on providing "quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere." The site has a far more aggressive stance against alternative medicine and it has the research and materials to prove it. Dr. Barrett has appeared twice on Bullshit! (Episode 102 and 602), I like this guy. If there's any nagging doubt you have in your mind about alternative medicine, this site just might squash it and put it to rest for good.

There's more, but I'll share the rest of them another time. For now, I suggest having a go at these.