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Post 10 Title - Critical Thinking Process Responses

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Post 10 Title - Critical Thinking Process Responses

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Define Problem: Is firewalking a supernatural ability or a scientific phenomenon?
(https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/physics-instructor-who-walks-on-fire/)

Gather Information:
The article discusses David Willey, a physics instructor at the University of Pittsburgh who performs firewalking and other dangerous demonstrations in the name of science. Willey's interest in firewalking was sparked by an article in the Skeptical Inquirer that proposed that firewalking is possible because of the low thermal capacity of the coals and the short time of contact that a firewalker's feet may have with the coals. The article also notes that firewalking has been associated with supernatural beliefs, superstition, and fear throughout history.

Evaluate Evidence:
The article provides scientific evidence that supports firewalking as a scientific phenomenon rather than a supernatural ability. Willey's experiments and demonstrations support the scientific explanation of the low thermal capacity of the coals and the short time of contact. The article also notes that firewalking has been associated with supernatural beliefs and superstition throughout history, which suggests that these beliefs may be unfounded.

Recognize Assumptions, Emotions, Biases:
The article presents Willey's interest in firewalking as being driven by his belief in the usefulness of demonstrations in teaching, rather than any supernatural or mystical beliefs. However, it is possible that Willey's interest may also be influenced by a desire to challenge supernatural beliefs and promote critical thinking.

Synthesize Evidence, Identify Alternatives:
The evidence presented in the article suggests that firewalking is a scientific phenomenon and not a supernatural ability. An alternative explanation is that firewalking is a combination of both science and supernatural ability, with some firewalkers possessing an innate ability to withstand the heat and others relying on scientific explanations such as the low thermal capacity of the coals.

Select Best Alternative:
Based on the scientific evidence presented in the article, it is reasonable to conclude that firewalking is a scientific phenomenon rather than a supernatural ability. While some individuals may possess an innate ability to withstand the heat, the scientific explanation of the low thermal capacity of the coals and the short time of contact provides a more reasonable explanation for firewalking.

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Post 9 Title:  Reason for Belief - Ideology

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Post 9 Title:  Reason for Belief - Ideology

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Definition: Ideology refers to a system of beliefs or ideas that forms the basis of a particular social, economic, or political system. It can be a reason for belief as people may accept or reject certain claims or propositions based on their adherence to a particular ideology.

Connection: The quote "Blind belief in ideology is the greatest enemy of truth" can be seen as a modification of Einstein's original quote, highlighting the danger of blindly accepting the claims or opinions of an ideology without questioning or evaluating them critically. Similar to authority, ideology can be a reason for belief, but blindly accepting it without critical evaluation can lead to ignorance and hinder the search for truth. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the evidence and reasoning behind the claims of an ideology to ensure that one's beliefs are based on sound reasoning and evidence, rather than blindly accepting what the ideology asserts.

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Post 8 Title:  Reason for Belief -Perception and Observation

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Post 8 Title:  Reason for Belief -Perception and Observation

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Definition: This reason for belief involves accepting a claim or proposition without engaging in critical thinking due to relying solely on perception and observation. Perception and observation are the processes of interpreting and understanding sensory information to form beliefs about the world. However, our perceptions and observations can be influenced by biases, preconceptions, and other factors that can lead to false beliefs.

Connection: The image illustrates how perception and observation can lead to different beliefs or interpretations of the same object or situation. Both individuals in the image are relying on their perception and observation to determine whether it is 9 or 6. However, their subjective biases or preconceptions can influence their interpretation, leading to differing beliefs. Similarly, people may rely on their perceptions and observations to form beliefs without engaging in critical thinking or considering alternative perspectives. It is important to recognize that our perceptions and observations can be fallible and subject to biases, and we should strive to evaluate them critically and consider alternative explanations before forming beliefs based solely on them

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Post 7 Title:  Reason for Belief - Emotional Connection

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Post 7 Title:  Reason for Belief - Emotional Connection

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Definition: Emotional connection refers to a reason for belief that is based on an individual's emotional response to a particular idea or experience. When we feel emotionally connected to something, we may be more likely to believe in it, even if there is little or no rational evidence to support that belief. Emotional connections can be positive or negative and can result from a variety of factors, including personal experiences, cultural or social conditioning, and personal values.

Connection: In the context of the YouTube channel mentioned in the prompt, emotional connections may be a factor that contributes to people's beliefs about the documentaries shared by victims. Emotional connections can arise from personal experiences, cultural or social conditioning, and personal values, all of which can influence how we perceive and interpret information. For example, a person who has personally experienced trauma may be more emotionally connected to a documentary about trauma survivors and may be more likely to believe in its message. Similarly, a person who was raised in a culture that values skepticism and rationality may be less likely to form emotional connections to beliefs based solely on personal experiences. However, emotional connections can also lead to biases and irrational beliefs, which is why it is important to critically evaluate them and consider alternative explanations.

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"haunted places" "haunted houses" "supernatural encounters" "ghost stories" "paranormal activity" "ghost shows" "ghost hunting"

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A Haunting is an American paranormal anthology that provides insight into the real-life experiences of individuals who have been victims of paranormal incidents and ghostly encounters. This show contains narrations, frightening re-enactments, & religious content.

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Post 6 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: Confirmation Bias

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Post 6 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: Confirmation Bias

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Definition: The Confirmation Bias red flag is when someone selectively chooses information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or biases while ignoring information that contradicts those beliefs.

Connection:  Through the above website, we can learn about confirmation bias and how it affects the way people interpret information. Confirmation bias is the tendency for individuals to seek out information that supports their pre-existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts those beliefs. This can lead to a distortion of evidence and can affect how people interpret scientific claims. In pseudoscientific debates, confirmation bias is commonly seen when proponents of pseudoscience selectively choose information that supports their claims while ignoring or dismissing any evidence that contradicts their claims. It is important to approach scientific claims with an open mind and evaluate all evidence objectively, rather than selectively choosing information that supports pre-existing beliefs or biases.

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Post 5 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: Red Herring

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Post 5 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: Red Herring

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Definition: The Red Herring red flag is when someone uses irrelevant or misleading information to divert attention from the real issue at hand, often in an attempt to confuse or mislead the audience.

Connection: The picture of a person fishing for a "gold one" while being distracted by a red fish is a humorous representation of the Red Herring fallacy. In this context, the red fish is intentionally trying to distract the person from their original goal, similar to how proponents of pseudoscience may use irrelevant information or anecdotes to distract from the lack of scientific evidence supporting their claims. Just like the person in the picture needs to stay focused on their goal of catching the "gold one," it is important for individuals to stay focused on seeking and evaluating scientific evidence when making decisions about their health and well-being, and not be misled by distracting or irrelevant information.

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Post 4 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: Appeal to Authority

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Post 4 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: Appeal to Authority

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Definition: The Appeal to Authority red flag is when someone uses the opinion or endorsement of an authority figure or organization as evidence to support a claim, without providing scientific evidence to back it up.

Connection : Through above Youtube Video the use of an endorsement from a famous actor in an advertisement is an example of the appeal to authority red flag. The manufacturers of the Fair and Handsome cream are attempting to use the celebrity's influence and popularity to promote their product as effective for achieving fairer skin. However, the advertisement does not provide any scientific evidence to support the product's effectiveness.

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Use #BhaiKiCream for Sun Protection and Instant Radiance | Fair And Handsome Radiance Cream For Men

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Post 3 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: Mystical Energy

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Post 3 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: Mystical Energy

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Definition: The Mystical Energy red flag is when someone makes claims about the existence of an unmeasurable or unobservable energy that can affect the body or mind, without providing scientific evidence to support the claim.

Connection: The "Mystical Energy" red flag could be relevant to the article "‘Corona Devi’: Indian priests pray for mercy from COVID ‘goddess’". The article describes a situation where Indian priests are praying to a goddess to protect them from COVID-19, which can be seen as a belief in a mystical energy that can protect people from the disease, without providing scientific evidence to support the claim.

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Two 'Corona Devi' idols set up in southern city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu state as the country battles a new infection surge.

In this picture taken on May 19, 2021, a priest performs prayer ritual in front of an idol locally known as 'Corona Devi', at Kamatchipuri Adhinam temple in Coimbatore [AFP]

Hindu priests at an Indian temple are saying daily prayers to two coronavirus goddesses in an effort to tame the pandemic as the country battles a new infection surge.

Two "Corona Devi" idols have been set up in the southern city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu state, badly hit in an outbreak that has killed 100,000 people nationwide in the past four weeks.

India on Thursday posted 211,298 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, while deaths from COVID-19 rose by 3,847.

The South Asian country's overall caseload is now at 27.37 million, while total fatalities are at 315,235, according to health ministry data.

The Kamatchipuri Adhinam temple is closed to worshippers because of Coimbatore's high infection rates but priests are paying tribute in front of the goddesses, one made of sandalwood and the other from stone.

They leave food and other offerings, chant prayers urging an end to the pandemic and bathe the idols in turmeric water and milk.

"We have had similar temples for smallpox, chickenpox and plague in the past," said temple manager Anandbharathi K.

"We are worshipping the virus in the form of a goddess and praying to her every day to reduce the impacts of this disease," he added.

While case numbers are easing in much of India, the country of 1.3 billion people has been shocked by the severity of the latest wave of the pandemic, which overwhelmed hospitals and led to critical shortages of oxygen and medicines.

"Even doctors are unable to deal with the enormity of the situation. So we turn to faith and God as a last resort," Anandbharathi said.

The priests plan to continue their prayers to the "Corona Devi" idols for another seven weeks.

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'Corona Devi': Indian priests pray for mercy from COVID 'goddess'

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Two 'Corona Devi' idols set up in southern city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu state as the country battles a new infection surge. Hindu priests at an Indian temple are saying daily prayers to two coronavirus goddesses in an effort to tame the pandemic as the country battles a new infection surge.

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Post 2 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: All Natural

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Post 2 Title: Pseudoscience Red Flag: All Natural

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Definition: The All Natural red flag is when someone promotes a product or treatment as being "all-natural" or "organic," without providing scientific evidence of its effectiveness or safety.

Connection: Through the above website, it becomes clear that dietary supplements, especially those made from herbal plants, may pose potential health risks and serious side effects. Despite being labeled as "all-natural" and safe, many supplements offer little to no nutritional value and are often of poor quality. Moreover, some herbal supplements contain purified prescription medications, making them potentially harmful to consumers. The widespread promotion of such products as "natural" or "herbal" in the health and wellness industry, without any scientific evidence to support their effectiveness or safety, is a concerning red flag that consumers need to be aware of. It is important to seek medical advice from a healthcare provider rather than taking supplements that may be unknown or unsafe.

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Dietary supplements are common products that you can find at pharmacies, convenient stores and even purchase online. Although they are often labeled as "all-natural," and safe, a researcher at Baylor College of Medicine says dietary supplements can cause potential health risks and serious side effects.

In an article published in EMBO Reports, Dr. Donald Marcus, professor emeritus of medicine and immunology at Baylor, and Dr Arthur Grollman of Stony Brook University, wrote about the dangers of encouraging the use of all-natural dietary supplements made from herbal plants.

The paper describes how this has become an international health hazard as The World Health Organization and China promote the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines, despite evidence that they can cause adverse side effects, fatalities and have not been tested in clinical trials.

"The popularity of herbal remedies in the United States and other developed countries is driven by rejection of science, celebrity endorsements and voluminous advertising," Marcus said.

Herbal medicines are derived from plant extracts that are used worldwide as medicines. They claim to provide health and wellness benefits that are not based on scientific data, including weight loss, boosting energy and increasing athletic performance. In underdeveloped countries, they are often used as treatments for medical conditions.

While supplements derived from minerals such as multivitamins, zinc and calcium contain nutritional value and are generally harmless, Marcus explains that herbal or "all natural" supplements are often poor quality and offer little to no nutritional value. Although advertised as "all-natural," they often contain purified prescription medications.

"People are misled to think there is something of nutritional value when there is no nutritional value," he said. "The term "dietary supplement" conveys that it is safe and will improve nutritional status but that is actually not the case."

Along with limited testing and minimal health benefits, Marcus adds that many people are unaware of the long-term side effects. Aristolochia, a plant used as a medicine in parts of Asia for decades, has been associated with kidney failure and cancer. In the United States and other parts of the world, there are reports of liver inflammation linked to the use of herbal supplements.

Although this is a worldwide concern, Marcus adds that people who at highest risk live in rural areas of developing countries and rely on healers providing herbal medicines for their health care.

"We're trying to get the word out internationally and in the United States that people are putting themselves as risk by taking medicines that are promoted on the basis of false claims," he said.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Marcus fears that it might be tempting for people to use supplements instead of prescription medication or for overall health concerns to avoid visiting a doctor's office or clinic.

"At this time of anxiety and fear around the COVID 19 pandemic, people may turn to unproven remedies and neglect science-based guidance," Marcus said. "Consumer groups and scientists need to inform the public about the hazards of dietary supplements."

Marcus advises to avoid taking dietary supplements if you are uncertain about the ingredients or their safety. "Rather than putting something unknown in your body, it is best to seek medical treatment or advice from a healthcare provider," he said.
-By Kaylee Dusang

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Dietary supplements are common products that you can find at pharmacies, convenient stores and even purchase online. Although they are often labeled as "all-natural," and safe, a researcher at Baylor College of Medicine says dietary supplements can cause potential health risks and serious side effects.

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Made by Senkathir Thavagopalapavalalingam
(Individually)