Think It Through: the Clearer Thinking Podcast

Send us a textIn this episode, April and her friend John Champion,  co-host of "Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast," get all nerdy and philosophical about the ways in which the Trek triumvirate of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy epitomize the Aristotelian proofs of ethos (appeal to authority), logos (appeal to logic), and pathos (appeal to emotion). Plus they reminisce about the good old days when Star Trek: the Experience was the coolest thing ever. Sigh...Episode 14 Show NotesHere are the episode numbers for the Star Trek: The Original Series episodes we referenced:"Balance of Terror"--Season 1, Episode 14"City on the Edge of Forever"--Season 1, Episode 28"The Empath"--Season 3, Episode 12"Requiem for Methuselah"--Season 3,  Episode 19Here are the IMDB listings for the movies we referenced:Star Trek: The Motion Picture--https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079945/Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan--https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084726/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0Star Trek V: The Final Frontier--https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098382/You can find many Star Trek television shows and movies on https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/star_trek/You may also be able to find some on Hulu, Prime Video, FX Now, and FuboHere's the link to all Roddenberry podcasts, including Mission Log:https://podcasts.roddenberry.com/If you want to search for specific Mission Log episodes, here is their archive:https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/archive/Some of McCoy's best smart-ass/heartfelt/profound wordplay: https://impertinentremarks.com/rhetoric-lessons-from-star-treks-dr-mccoy/An interesting take on the friendship between the Trek triumvirate: https://www.startrek.com/article/the-importance-of-friendship-in-star-trekHere's Michael Shermer's explanation on why Kirk is such a great leader:SHERMER, MICHAEL. “The Captain Kirk Principle.” Scientific American, vol. 287, no. 6, 2002, pp. 39–39. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26060080.  (If you don't have access to JSTOR, you can probably find this article online in Scientific American's archives.)Oh, and you may have noticed that John and I use different pronunciations for "ethos," "pathos," and "logos." Well, mostly "pathos."  That's perfectly acceptable, as this article explains: https://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2020/01/ethos-logos-pathos.html

Send us a textApril talks with Celestia Ward, one of the hosts of Squaring the Strange, a podcast that focuses on evidence-based analysis covering a very wide variety of topics. In this episode, April finds out how Celestia got started as a skeptical researcher; they also discuss some of the techniques Celestia uses to focus on finding facts while still acknowledging that she, like all of us, has biases. Along the way they mention skeptic icon James Randi, Penn and Teller, folklorist Jeannie Thomas, and Mick West, author and founder of metabunk.org. April also find out that Celestia is a big fan of the number 13 (the episode number)! After the interview, Celestia mentioned that she spent eight years as an academic editor at Johns Hopkins University Press, and says of that experience "Cutting your teeth on reference lists that are nearly as long as the chapters instills you with a respect for thorough research."  Episode 13 show notes:Here’s the Squaring the Strange website. You can also find them on Apple Podcasts:https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com/website Hey, look what I found! An 2015 article about Celestia in Skeptical Inquirer, written by Ben Radford (now one of her co-hosts on Squaring the Strange):https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/facing-art-and-skepticism-caricaturist-celestia-ward/ A good NPR article giving some background and a proper sendoff for James Randi:https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926717787/amazing-escape-artist-magician-and-skeptic-james-randi-dead-at-92 The website for one of the best skeptic/science podcasts out there, The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe: https://www.theskepticsguide.org/ A great article from a science education website about why scientist must also be skeptics:http://www.ces.fau.edu/nasa/introduction/scientific-inquiry/why-must-scientists-be-skeptics.php Wikipedia (yeah, sometimes it’s a perfectly good source) has a list of Penn and Teller’s Bullshit episodes:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Penn_%26_Teller:_Bullshit!_episodes Here’s the lecture by Jeannie Thomas in which she references the SLAP testing method, and confesses that she’s even been pulled in by scary-sounding claims that ended up being untrue (it is a BYU lecture, so there is an opening prayer—do with that what you will):https://vimeo.com/507323130 To quickly check a news story to see if it has any basis in fact, try https://leadstories.com/ or factcheck.org Wanna buy Mick West’s book? Here you go:https://www.amazon.com/Escaping-Rabbit-Hole-Conspiracy-Theories-ebook/dp/B077YS5G2N Contact Celestia Ward for information about her caricatures at:https://www.2headsstudios.com/

Send us a textApril talks about one of the sneakiest fallacies, the misplaced burden of proof. Here's an example:Friend: George told me he's not getting the vaccine because it's dangerous.You: How do you know it's dangerous?Friend: I'm just telling you what George said. How do you know he's wrong?You: I...um...what?Here's what it is, and what to do when it happens to you.Show Notes:Here's an explanation of the misplaced burden of proof:https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/burden-of-proofIn case you want to make a Prove Me Wrong meme, here's the meme generator. Just make sure your audience knows it's a fallacy, please:https://imgflip.com/memegenerator/140087640/Prove-me-wrongHere's the amazingly sexist and fallacy-laden interview with Gavin McInness:https://www.ttbook.org/interview/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-youd-be-happier-housewifeThe Effectivology website is full of really great articles about fallacies and making good arguments. This is the article I refer to in the episode:https://effectiviology.com/burden-of-proof/There's a subtle but important difference between presumption and assumption. This explains it:https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/assume-vs-presume 

Send us a textApril begins Season 2 by talking about why we seem to be so angry these days, and what we can do to take it down a notch. Episode 11 Show NotesHere's Nancy Rommelmann's op-ed describing the fallout from the online outrage against her and her husband: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-rommelmann-me-too-portland-20190222-story.htmlHarvard's Elizabeth Bartolet writes about the things that trouble her about the MeToo movement: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/1/16/bartholet-metoo-excesses/An NPR story about outrage with Steve Inskeep and Shankar Vedantam: https://www.npr.org/2019/10/09/768489375/how-outrage-is-hijacking-our-culture-and-our-mindsSome of the short and long-term effects of anger can be found here: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/anger-how-it-affects-people#:~:text=The%20long%2Dterm%20physical%20effects,learning%20relaxation%20techniques%20and%20counsellingRichard Ford's excellent Stanford blog post about what he calls the "outrage-industrial complex":https://law.stanford.edu/2019/12/20/the-outrage-industrial-complex/Psychology Today author Rob Henderson writes about the social underpinnings of outrage: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/after-service/201906/moral-outrage-why-we-attack-each-otherVictoria Spring's article in Scientific American about the positive and negative aspects of outrage: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-outrage-be-a-good-thing/Some great ideas from journalist Zaid Jalani on how to de-escalate your social media outrage: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_avoid_the_social_media_outrage_trap

Send us a textApril's pretty excited for her upcoming season!

Send us a textApril explains why we are all so bad at determining probability and risk. Well, maybe you're not, but she is. Anyway she talks about death a lot, which is a topic lots of people find interesting; but don't worry because she avoids the gory details. Unless you like the gory details, in which case...sorry about that. Episode 10 Show NotesAn interesting probability calculator: https://www.calculators.org/math/probability.phpMichael Shermer's  article discussing our inability to grasp probabilities: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-our-brains-do-not-intuitively-grasp-probabilities/ Another Shermer article discussing the problem with anecdotal evidence: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-anecdotal-evidence-can-undermine-scientific-results/ Yet another great article about our inability to calculate risk: https://www.cogencyteam.com/news/2018/02/why-are-humans-bad-at-calculating-risk/Why we dislike self-driving cars: https://slate.com/technology/2016/06/research-shows-why-people-are-bad-at-assessing-the-risks-of-self-driving-cars.htmlThe excess deaths during the coronavirus pandemic: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/20/health/coronavirus-excess-deaths.html Yes, masks work to reduce our risk of Covid-19: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-preventCDC info on the flu: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm How we either overestimate or underestimate our risk of getting Covid-19, along with lots of other risks we misinterpret: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/13/world/asia/coronavirus-risk-interpreter.htmlHere’s the birthday problem calculator. Enjoy! https://sites.google.com/site/craigandera/craigs-stuff/odds-ends/the-birthday-problem-calculatorThe difference between actual causes of death and what's covered in news media: https://ourworldindata.org/does-the-news-reflect-what-we-die-fromA discussion of the difference between “possible” and “probable” on a website for English language learners: https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/21191/in-simple-words-what-is-the-difference-between-possible-and-probable#:~:text=Possible%20means%20it%20can%20happen,it%20is%20likely%20to%20happenZagorsky’s article about determining “expected value:" https://theconversation.com/how-to-deal-with-lifes-risks-more-rationally-94366

Send us a textIn this episode, April uses the definition of “bullshit” described by American philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt in his seminal 1985 essay, “On Bullshit” to discuss its impact on our lives and ways to see through it. As you can probably tell, she also says “bullshit” a lot. Episode 9 Show Notes I purchased the big red Bullshit Button that you hear in this episode from Amazon if you want one. I use it to annoy my students, but it’s also handy for annoying your kids, significant other, and pets.The book “On Bullshit” by Harry G. Frankfurt is also available on Amazon as well as academic databases.As of 2018 Trump was still insisting he was right about Sweden: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-claims-he-was-right-about-crimes-caused-immigrants-sweden-n854296 Beto O’Rourke and his “false” rating on Politifact: https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2019/oct/21/beto-orourke/despite-his-claim-presidential-candidate-beto-orou/Hey it’s not just me; the illustrious Harry G. Frankfurt himself has called out Donald Trump on his bullshit: https://time.com/4321036/donald-trump-bs/Yes, “bullshit receptivity is a thing. Here’s discussion of the research by Gordon Pennycook et al: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jopy.12476https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-54494-003https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/one-among-many/201512/not-even-bullshithttps://www.niemanlab.org/2017/08/when-it-comes-to-the-academic-study-of-fake-news-bullshit-receptivity-is-a-thing/Philosopher Victor Moberger’s article in Theoria: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/theo.12271A short explanation of how Brandolini’s law got it’s name: http://ordrespontane.blogspot.com/2014/07/brandolinis-law.htmlConspiracy theories and pseudoscience both get science wrong:https://elephantinthelab.org/how-conspiracy-theorists-get-the-scientific-method-wrong/This amazing little handbook teaches you how to approach people and (nicely) debunk their bullshit. It's focused on climate change deniers, but it will work for other issues: https://www.climatechangecommunication.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DebunkingHandbook2020.pdf Author Warren Berger shows you how to pick up on, and call out, bullshit: https://www.fastcompany.com/3068589/how-to-fine-tune-your-bullshit-detector “Legit Scientist” Paul M. Sutter explains the power behind the words “I don’t know.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulmsutter/2019/08/11/i-dont-know-is-one-of-the-most-powerful-thin

Send us a textIn this short episode, April explains what mindfulness is and its potential use as a tool for better critical thinking.Episode 9 Show NotesThe Niroga Institutes' definition of mindfulness:https://www.niroga.org/media/news/2019-what_is_mindfulness.php?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8rT8BRCbARIsALWiOvSf6DfTkjHq-ZMMjqbicowM3dtk3UC3huZgTbBZKCaOe-hLVlBxGwkaAjv8EALw_wcBThe Happier Skeptic's definition of mindfulness:https://happierskeptic.com/critical-thinking-and-mindfulness/Even more definitions of mindfulness you may find enlightening:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-matters-most/201711/3-definitions-mindfulness-might-surprise-youYou can access the Oxford Language Dictionary's definition simply by typing "mindfulness" into Google's search bar.Here's Dr. Michael Hogan's article in Psychology Today:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-one-lifespan/201601/does-mindfulness-enhance-critical-thinkingHere's another article co-authored by Hogan on the same topic:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02043/fullThe disturbing rise of QAnon within the wellness and yoga communities:https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/yoga-wellness-and-qanon-conspiracy-theoriesThe origin of one of my favorite quotes:https://spinstrangenesscharm.wordpress.com/2017/10/22/who-first-said-we-must-keep-an-open-mind-but-not-so-open-that-our-brains-fall-out/Easy and effective mindfulness exercises you can do:https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356Some mindfulness apps for your consideration:https://positivepsychology.com/mindfulness-apps/An article about utilizing mindfulness in the workplace to enhance problem solving:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140625172839-26938934-critical-thinking-mindfulness-and-thinking-about-thinking/

Send us a textApril discusses media literacy in a wide-ranging conversation with Shanna Gilkeson, a doctoral candidate in media and communication at Bowling Green State University. They talk about what does and doesn't work when applying traditional media literacy skills to today's media landscape. Shanna gives some great tips about how she approaches fact-checking, talks about how she determines a source to be credible/reliable, and shares her favorite credible sources and fact-checking sites.  Episode 7 Show Notes: A good article discussing the basics of media literacy: https://mediastudies.pressbooks.com/chapter/the-importance-of-media-literacy/ Here's the CRAAP test pdf: https://library.csuchico.edu/sites/default/files/craap-test.pdf Danah Boyd's SxSW keynote speech "What Hath We Wrought" describes the epistemic crisis the US finds itself in, explains a little bit about how people get radicalized, and how the traditional way of teaching media literacy has failed us, that teaching people how to verify a source's credibility doesn't work when they're radicalized to mistrust any source they don't agree with: https://youtu.be/0I7FVyQCjNg Ad Fontes Media - a valuable resource in terms of determining how reliable or biased a source is. https://www.adfontesmedia.com/  In particular, their interactive media bias chart is helpful in terms of determining where a source lands on the trustworthiness spectrum: https://www.adfontesmedia.com/interactive-media-bias-chart-2/  Also, they're super-transparent about their methodology, which they describe in great detail here: https://www.adfontesmedia.com/how-ad-fontes-ranks-news-sources/ On the need for fact-checking instead of source checking: https://medium.com/@holden/how-media-literacy-gets-web-misinformation-wrong-45aa6323829d On the value of acquiring knowledge before trying to apply criticism: https://hapgood.us/2016/12/19/yes-digital-literacy-but-which-one/ How media literacy gets misinformation wrong: https://medium.com/@holden/how-media-literacy-gets-web-misinformation-wrong-45aa6323829d Yep, this happened: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/10/16/trump-tweets-out-fake-story-criticizing-biden-from-satirical-news-site/#3cf6e9c55c38 This NPR interview is from 2012, but it still stands: https://www.npr.org/2012/01/10/144974110/political-fact-checking-under-fire

Send us a textApril interviews journalism professor Jennifer (Jenny) Mitchell about today's media landscape. Topics include what qualifies as media, who owns giant media conglomerates, the difference between hard news and opinion pieces, professional journalists vs. citizen journalists and bloggers/vloggers, the ethical principles that professional journalists should follow, and the credible news sources that Jenny relies on. Episode 6 Show Notes:A list of top media conglomerates:https://www.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/021815/worlds-top-ten-media-companies-dis-cmcsa-fox.aspxA list of media billionaires:https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevinton/2016/06/01/these-15-billionaires-own-americas-news-media-companies/#4c73723660adAn explanation of “infotainment:”https://www.medialit.org/reading-room/whatever-happened-newsThe difference between hard news and opinion:https://digitalresource.center/content/lesson-5-news-vs-opinionLeast biased sites for news:https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-5-world-news-websites-guaranteed-free-censorship/A decent article by a young media student who seems to have a handle on the issues with citizen journalists:https://medium.com/@zoesaunderson/the-legal-challenges-professional-vs-citizen-journalists-225a026cf83aAn academic paper on the topic of citizen vs professional journalists: https://homepage.univie.ac.at/homero.gil.de.zuniga/documents/Holton,%20Coddington%20&%20Gil%20de%20Zuniga%20(2013)%20Journalism%20Practice.pdfThe Society of Professional Journalist’s Code of Ethics:https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.aspA great article about journalism as a calling:http://www.mediaethicsmagazine.com/index.php/browse-back-issues/137-fall-2007/3230571-journalism-as-a-callingThe American Press Association’s (APA) list of principles that all journalists should abide by:https://americanpressassociation.com/principles-of-journalism/The link to OnlineNewspapers.com:http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/A link to CSN’s Coyote Student News, the student-run paper that Jennifer Mitchell oversees:https://coyotestudentnews.com/A really, really good (and disturbing) discussion about how disinformation travels through mass media and into social media:https://www.lawfareblog.com/lawfare-podcast-yochai-benkler-mass-media-disinformation-campaignsAn explanation of “false balance:”https://www.theguard