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Watchlist #1: Results Can't be reproduced or verified. 

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Watchlist #1: Results Can't be reproduced or verified. 

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Definition: There is no scientific evidence therefor results can not be measured and theirs no way to verify the information

Connection: This website is connected to this topic because it discusses how paranormal/ pseudoscience events cannot be studied or repeated. It goes on to explain how people who take part in pseudoscience will often tell skeptics that thy are not "open-minded" enough to believe in it. However, for the most part there is hard evidence or demonstrable validity.

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The Problem with Pseudoscience » Alan The Atheist » Answers In Reason

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The Problem with Pseudoscience » Answers In Reason

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🤔 Note: We are republishing this article with the kind permission of Dr. Ben Davis. We highly recommend checking out Dr. Ben’s Fb page Please click here for Dr. Ben’s Facebook page. The Problem with Pseudoscience So, I try not to rip on my students in general. I especially try to avoid poking fun at them 🧠

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Definition: Uses personal anecdotes on potentially vulnerable people causing emotions to trump rational thoughts.

Connection: The object of this post is mediums, meaning those who can communicate with people who have passed on. Mediums appeal to emotion because when someone comes to speak to a medium, they are in a heightened emotional state. This is because they are discussing a loved one who has passed on. Someones emotionally clouded judgement (and rationality is heightened by emotion) may find something personal in a generally vague claim that comes fro the medium. They may try to find meaning in thee statement in order to find some sort of closure.

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Watchlist # 3: Using scientific sounding language that is meaningless. 

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Watchlist # 3: Using scientific sounding language that is meaningless. 

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Definition: People will often incorporate scientific sounding language into their points to make it more believable.

Connection: Herbal medicine is connected to this topic Despite the "important sounding" pharmaceutical terminology used in herbal medicine, multiple reputable sources show that there is no scientific evidence that proves herbal medicines are effective in the treatment/ prevent of illness. In herbal medicine terms like phytomedicines, paraherbalism, and aromatherapy are thrown around this concept constantly. These long, fancy sounding and feel like they should mean something but it is essentially just restating the same thing that plants and earth based ingredients improve one's health.

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Definition: Money is the main motive for purveyors.

Connection: Fortune tellers have a connection to the involvement of money. A classic example of this would be the fortune tellers stationed in the carnival. People passing by are often persuaded in by the mystical energy they exude and they tell you they can read your future in exchange for money.

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Definition: the point of proof by verbosity is to overwhelm someone with technicals words in hope of confusion or manipulating them.

Connection: Conspiracy theorists often use proof by verbosity to influence others to think the same. For example, "flat Earthers" will often use extremely complex terminology in their explanations of why they think the Earth is flat. Their arguments rely on technical words like perspective or refraction to cover up the fact that they have no real scientific evidence to back them up.

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Definition: When influential or important figures dismiss, discourage or silence different ideas or practice.

Connection: An extreme example of suppression by authority would be the Salem Witch Trials. People in power punished many innocent people because was they were doing did not align with their current societal norms. During this time, there were definite barriers to critical thinking. Because there was a lack of practice in certain fields by women, anything one did that was out of the ordinary was considered witchcraft. Groupthink played a massive part during these times because everything was based off of a singular persons word, not fact. And if you dared to go against the group, you were punished. Because there were so many distorted views of truth, authorities were punishing everyone for even the smallest deviance.

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Definition: Describes an unseen force that is responsible for doing something that is seemingly unexplainable.

Connection: Crystals are an example of something with mystical energy. Crystals are often used because they are said that they attract good energy into your life. Although there is no scientific proof that crystals have an affect at all, hearing the words mystical energy peaks people interest. People may find joy or comfort in collecting certain crystals as some sort of placebo effect, but again, there is no scientific evidence to support those claims.

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Definition: Having knowledge and stories that has been passed down through generations dating back to ancient times.

Connection: A lot of the myths and legends we know today are stories told by mouth from people from time ago. Myths are representative of the stories and events of the past. An example of a myth would be the Loch Ness monster. There is no evidence of this creature but countless people around the world believe it is true despite the lack o proof. This is because it is a story that has been told to a large group of people over a long period of time. Because it has been told for so long, no body is eager to debunk and argue this tale.

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Red Flag #5: Confusion of Correlation and Causation

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Red Flag #5: Confusion of Correlation and Causation

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Defintion: Correlation does not mean causation. Meaning that just because two things relate, does not mean mean one causes the other.

Connection: A god example of the confusion between correlation and causation would be zodiac signs (astrology) and personality traits. Many believe that however the stars aligned on you birth date determines what kind of person you would become. Although the though is intriguing, there is no validity to claims that you are the person you are because of how the stars align. This is the Barnum effect where people take a general statement and apply it to themselves.

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Definition: People are innately prone to noticing patterns and connections in little things.

Connection: Patternicity has a connection to superstitions. People believe that events are influenced by certain objects or actions. If a person has something with them and they see a pattern of good fortune, they will connect that token to positive outcomes. This might lead them to carrying it around with them all the time in hopes that something similar would happen.

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Definition: A person finds something to be true because an important figure or someone in power believes it to be as well.

Connection: There is a connection between ideology and dieting. This concept is very common in this day and age. The age of internet "influencers". When someone with a platform suggests/ promotes something, followers will listen and want to do whatever it is they can to be like them. For example, a super fit looking individual tells a group that "this supplement got me to where I am now". Chances are those people are going to go out and buy the same thing, regardless of the lack of scientific evidence behind it. They see someone who they want to be like and they simply take their word for it.

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Definition: Assigning intention to "agents" (figures, ideas etc), giving people something to believe in.

Connection: When something strange happens, a very common explanation is "the unexplained". And what out there is better unexplained that aliens. It's difficult to believe in something that cannot be perceived. Therefor, people tend to put a "face" to the name. Aliens are an example of agenticity because it actually gives people something to look for in a time of uncertainty. Who built the pyramids? It must be the aliens because we cannot fathom that humans built something as grand as that in a time where civilization had very little.