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Post #2 Pseudoscience watchlist: Use of scientific-sounding language that is meaningless

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Post #2 Pseudoscience watchlist: Use of scientific-sounding language that is meaningless

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Use of scientific-sounding language that is meaningless definition: The use of scientific-sounding language that is meaningless in pseudoscience refers to the reliance on complex terms that appear scientific but lack substance or proper definition and evidence.

Connection: An example of using scientific-sounding language that is meaningless is phrenology which was popular in the 19th century. People who practiced phrenology said that one could know definitely your character and capabilities by the shape and size of your head. Some of the terms that were employed for the various mental and moral faculties included ‘faculties,’ ‘organs,’ and ‘bumps,’ and the last are more clearly unscientific. Phrenology received this veneer of scientific credibility not only because its principal proponent used scientific terminology but also because its underlying assumptions were faulty and any scientific evidence did not back the whole concept. This example highlights the importance of critical thinking and skepticism when evaluating claims that use scientific-sounding language without solid evidence.

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Post #3 Pseudoscience watchlist: Results can’t be reproduced or verified

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Post #3 Pseudoscience watchlist: Results can’t be reproduced or verified

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Results can't be reproduced or verified definition: Cannot be replicated or validated means that we cannot reverse the study or reproduce it by other people using the same methods. This is an obvious sign of pseudoscience, as any scientific statement must be amenable to copious affirmation and repetition. If an obtained result can not be replicated, then there are questions about the accuracy of the finding.

Connection: Extra Sensory Perception (ESP) stories falls under Results can’t be reproduced or verified. Even though many people may say they have psychic skills such as telepathy, clairvoyance or premonition, there is no scientific proof that will come up time and time again. Reputable sources and scientific research have consistently debunked such claims, highlighting the lack of demonstrable validity. More often than not, ESP concludes with the help of stories and individual experiences which are obviously steeped in bias.

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Post#4 Pseudoscience watchlist: Convinces by faith and belief (in spite of evidence)

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Post#4 Pseudoscience watchlist: Convinces by faith and belief (in spite of evidence)

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Convinces by faith and belief (in spite of evidence): The ‘’convinces by faith and belief (in spite of evidence)’ is a way of persuading people to believe in someone’s beliefs or notions based on religion instead of evidence or rationality and often at the same time ignoring all evidence against the said religion.

Connection: An example of a pseudoscience watchlist item that "convinces by faith and belief (in spite of evidence)” which can be observed in Pastafarianism, a religion of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. However, it is still matching the perception of belief and possible severities of irrationality. The beliefs of Pastafarianism surpassed the ordinarily recognized systems of beliefs and faiths in the society as it focuses on reasoning on the current understanding and convincing facts and knowledge. Pastafarianism reveals that humans are unpredictable and capable of nothing when they are trapped in a vicious cycle of total obedience to authority. This satirical religion also underscores the influence of barriers to critical thinking, such as lack of practice, groupthink, and distorted views of truth.

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Appeal to authority definition: Appeal to authority is a fallacy that occurs when someone claims that a statement is true simply because an authority figure said it, without providing any other evidence or reasoning.

Connection: By following the critical thinking process and starting with the first step define claim, which shows Dr. Oz prescribes individual diets or supplements as beneficial for weight loss or for certain health issues. In the second step of the process recognize bias we acknowledge that Dr.oz involves guests who use these products and hence a possibility of bias in presenting the product. the third step of the process evaluate source It might be important to note here that Dr. Oz is a cardiologist who specializes in cardiovascular surgery not dietary advice. In the process of evaluating evidence, what is offered to support these diets or supplements may be inconclusive or from uncontrolled and biased trials or reports. Following the last step of the process Summary Conclusion, There is a classic of a powerful doctor who with the help of tricks can make viewers take these diets or supplements even if they have no scientific foundation.

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Post #6 Red flag: Confusion of Correlation with Causation

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Post #6 Red flag: Confusion of Correlation with Causation

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Confusion of correlation with causation definition:

Confusion with correlation and causation definition is the mistake of assuming that because two events or variables are correlated, one must cause the other. This mistake overlooks the possibility of coincidence, reverse causation, or the influence of other factors.

Connection: As mentioned in the article the misconception of correlation and causation is presented as an example showing that the intake of chocolate leads to enhancement of cognitive performance and intelligence according to research. While it cites a possibly reputable source to establish credibility, it uses anecdotes and generalizations to imply causation without considering other factors, such as lifestyle or diet, that might influence the observed outcomes. This misinterpretation goes a long way in illustrating why it is wrong for anyone to assume that correlation will always lead to causation.

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Everyone loves chocolate, and even though we try to cut way back on sugar, there are times we need it. It makes us feel better when we're feeling low. We love its deliciously rich taste, its texture, and how it makes everything better.

Not only that, but chocolate can actually be good for us. It has plenty of benefits including lowering blood pressure, preventing liver damage, boosting good cholesterol, and keeping your heart healthy.

We always suspected that chocolate was good for us, and now there's proof that it can make us smarter! That's right, eating chocolate can boost our brain functions and could literally make us geniuses. Okay, maybe not literally, but it can help our brains function better.

Does chocolate make you smarter?

The short answer? Yes, chocolate can make you smarter by improving your focus, memory, and learning ability.
RELATED: Wine, Chocolate, Spicy Food Diet Makes You Live Longer, Says Science
A study published in the journal Appetite found that eating chocolate on the regular helps improve brain function. "Our study demonstrated positive associations between habitual chocolate consumption and cognitive performance," said the researchers of the study.

It's not entirely surprising that chocolate is good for the brain, since chocolate (the main byproduct of the cacao plant) has been associated with improvements in a range of health complaints dating from ancient times.

The earliest evidence for the medical uses of chocolate was found in Mesoamerican civilizations; iconographic works and fragments, writings, and remnants in the pottery suggest that cacao was prepared in beverage form, at least as early as 600 B.C.

Medicinally, chocolate has been used to reduce fever, treat diarrhea, help with PMS, increase breast-milk production, encourage sleep, and even clean peoples' teeth.

This discovery is a great leap forward for the aging process and how age affects our brains.
RELATED: The Bizarre Reason People Are Sniffing Chocolate Aging is usually accompanied by declined brain function, including memory and processing speed. However, the study found that regular intake of cocoa flavanols has a beneficial effect on cognitive function, and possibly protects against normal age-related cognitive decline.
In other words, eating chocolate can help keep you sharp!

For the study, researchers used data collected from a Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study, also known as MSLS, in which 968 people between the ages of 23 and 98 were measured for dietary intake and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as cognitive function.

The researchers of the study found that eating chocolate on a regular basis was significantly associated with cognitive function regardless of their other dietary habits.

The more frequent the chocolate consumption, the more significant the performance on cognitive tests, including visual-spatial memory and organization, working memory, scanning and tracking, abstract reasoning, and the mini-mental state examination.

It turns out that chocolate is just as good for your brain as it is for your broken heart, so now when you crave a chocolate bar or a slice of decadent lava cake, remind yourself that you're not overindulging - you're simply working on improving your cognitive functioning.
RELATED: Chocolate Cake For Breakfast Helps You Lose Weight, Says Science Christine Schoenwald is a writer and performer. She's had articles in The Los Angeles Times, Salon, Bustle, Medium, and Woman's Day.
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The Sweet Treat Guilty Pleasure Research Now Says Makes You Smarter

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Does chocolate make you smarter? According to one study, eating chocolate regularly actually improves brain function.

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Ideological support definition: Red flag ideological support is support of an idea, policy or procedure motivated by ideological stance of the person rather than evidence, reason, or fact. It shows one-sidedness, and as often they reject knowledge or information that goes against their ideals.

Connection: Creationism is the ideology where it proposes that there are specific gods, the main of which is a Christian’s God, which created the whole universe, the earth, and everything in it according to the Bible. This therefore dismisses the theory of evolution and embraces creationism or purposeful design of the creations. While creationism appeals to ideological frameworks rooted in faith and tradition, it lacks demonstrable validity, as its claims are not supported by scientific evidence or testable scientific methods. It is not surprising that these creationists disregard facts and prefer ideology, which may place creationism against mainstream scientific view of the natural world.

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Explore creationism’s beliefs, from young Earth to Intelligent Design, and their impact on science, education, and legal debates.

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Proof by verbosity definition: Proof by verbosity is where one tries to convince his/her audience by showering them with many complicated terms or concise theories until the other person is overwhelmed into accepting the argument as valid. It is a way of trying to force the listener to swallow what is said without questioning or using proper crucial evidence.

Connection: The TA-65 article uses anecdotes by including user testimonials about its effectiveness, yet these claims lack rigorous scientific validation. Additionally, it discusses telomere science and telomerase activation but fails to provide clear, replicable data or studies that demonstrate the product's efficacy in a way that meets demonstrable validity. Additionally, the article relies heavily on scientific terms and facts however, due to the lack of quality, peer-reviewed sources, the article abuses information and documentation and overwhelms users with sometimes irrelevant information that doesn’t complement the product’s claims effectively.

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Red herring definition: The definition of red herring is when a distracting or irrelevant topic is introduced into a topic to shift focus away from the main issue. It's a tactic used to mislead or confuse the audience, often by drawing attention to something unrelated.

Connection:

This old spice commercial often attracts skepticism due to its heavy reliance on humor and absurd scenarios that act as red herrings, diverting attention from the product’s actual benefits. While entertaining, they leave viewers with little to no factual information, prompting some to debunk the marketing strategy as relying on distraction rather than meaningful product claims. For instance, this ad with teleporting settings or random stunts cares little about why the deodorant is better than the rest.

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Old Spice | The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

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Post #10 Reasons for belief: Emotional Connection

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Post #10 Reasons for belief: Emotional Connection

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Emotional connection definition:

The emotional connection reason for belief refers to how beliefs are shaped and maintained by strong emotions, making them resistant to change. These beliefs are personal, and people identify with them, the emotions which influence actions and choices made. Self-personal plans are more difficult to change because they contain beliefs and emotions.

Connection: The article showcases the tension between personal experience and skepticism. While the author initially approached Reiki with skepticism and critical thinking, the emotional shifts she felt during the session led her to question her earlier doubts. Science never utters a word about Reiki, yet it does not stop her, as the mystical turns emotional and then into faith. This situation reflects how emotions can sometimes overpower the scientific method and critical thinking, especially when personal transformation is involved.

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I'll admit it: I was stuck in a rut. After yet another breakup (same type every time - great chemistry, smart, successful funny, yet lacking the emotional availability to be in a relationship), I was beginning to wonder if my love life was ever going anywhere.

After playing Tegan and Sara's " Shock to Your System" repeatedly for days belting out "What you are is lonely" in the shower, I began to pull myself together. I needed a plan. One that did not involve singing. I needed some healing. Love healing.

I had gone to therapy. I had done all the work exercising the demons from my past, the toxicity of living in a highly dysfunctional codependent family. But even after therapy, I have to admit I wasn't terribly excited about dating.
It can be exhausting, soul-sucking, and time-consuming. So when I heard about Reiki, I couldn't help but wonder if it could be that extra jolt I needed. Like a colonic, metaphorically speaking.
Reiki works by moving energy or chi. Toxic energy is released, ties to the past are broken, and voila! You are a new person.

Admittedly, I had a hard time believing in the concept. I believed in the law of attraction because it seems much more logical. It's rational (to me anyway) that like attracts like, and for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

But the idea that someone else could actually move energy in and out of my body seemed at first too out there for me to believe. Then again, I also think anything is possible, and what we know about our world is limited at best.

I figured I had nothing to lose by giving it a shot, so I looked up Reiki practitioners on Yelp. Elaine was one of the first names to pop up. With over 40 five-star effusive "she changed my life" reviews, I figured I couldn't go wrong. I made an appointment.
RELATED: How To Meditate: A Beginner's Guide To Mindfulness Meditation
Prior to the appointment, Elaine gives you some reading homework. I was instructed to read Power vs. Force, which explains the connection between science and spirit (which I still haven't finished).

Arriving at her apartment, I immediately felt a sense of calm and peace. She was dressed in a long sweater and leggings and her strawberry blonde hair was wrapped up in a bun. She looked like a normal woman.

I'm not sure if I expected her to be dressed in some sort of tapestry or long-flowing caftan smelling of patchouli and singing "Kumbaya," but thankfully she was not. In fact, Elaine is no "woo-woo" type. As I came to learn, she was quite the opposite.
She was someone with a grounded belief in science and quantum physics.
She believed there was more to the world than what meets the eye and that it's possible to harness energy even if we can't see it. Considering people didn't even understand the concept of radio and light waves for most of human history and we only use 10 percent of our brains, I reasoned that perhaps she was right.

Her apartment was dimly lit with candles and soft music playing in the background. She offered me some tea as I curled up on her very comfy couch. The session started with an intake of where I was and what I hoped to achieve.

It was a two-and-a-half-hour intense discussion to be precise. Elaine did not mess around. She made sure to get every last bit of information out of me before beginning the actual reiki session, resulting in a total of 5 to 6 hours spent together.
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We spoke about every guy I dated, old patterns, family, friends, and career. Her presence was calming and comforting, like a warm fuzzy blanket you just wanted to curl up with. She was able to frame my past in the context of learning experiences helping me to see that ultimately everything was about spiritual growth.

It was like therapy with a spiritual counselor rather than a therapist.

"By the way, my left-" I said to Elaine after I felt like I had gone through everything.

"Your left leg is tingling," Elaine said cutting me off.

"What?" I asked incredulously. There's no way she could have known that. It wasn't like I was walking with a limp or something.

"Your left side is receiving. The right side is about giving. You're in a receiving mode. That's why it's tingling."

"Oh," I responded nodding my head. "I just thought it was sciatica from SoulCycle. How did you know that?"

"Nope, it's not," she said with a laugh.
She explained that she can feel someone's physical, emotional, psychological disposition before she even gets started with the actual reiki session. She may have been right, but I'm never going back to SoulCycle.
Our chat session had finally exhausted itself and it was time for me to lie on the table. Elaine told me she would work on releasing any residual toxic energy, opening up my heart, and making space for new more positive energy.

She explained that when she's working she focuses on neutralizing one's negative emotions and getting rid of their subconscious blocks. Elaine maintains a high vibration; anything that doesn't match the highest vibration will leave.

During the Reiki session, the "patient" is shifted to their highest potential frequency. Of course, like anything else - a diet, for example - it's up to you to want to maintain your new frequency. If you go back to complaining about your crappy life or hanging out with co-dependent types, your session will become less effective.

As she explained this, it reminded me of how when meeting certain people, you can be immediately drawn to them or repulsed for no outwardly logical reason.

I remember once when at an ashram, I saw a blond curly-haired girl from a distance and immediately decided we should be friends.

I had no idea why and knew if I said that to her I would seem like a kook. I didn't get the chance to speak to her the entire time until the last day when she happened to be sitting on the stairs as I was coming down with my bag.

Randomly, she asked me if I was going to Brooklyn. To which I responded yes and offered a ride back. Fast forward years later and we are great friends (I even threw her baby shower). She is one of my most spiritually-minded gal pals.
In retrospect, had she been the wild, crazy party girl she had been in years prior, I'm sure I would have never been subconsciously drawn to her. Perhaps in raising my vibration, I would start attracting the right guys in the same fashion.
I lay down on the table and closed my eyes as Elaine placed various rocks and crystals all over me. As she pulled on my legs, I felt my chest tighten as though I was short of breath. At one point I felt the rocks "whirl" and land in between my legs.

Startled, I tried to reach down and tried to move the rocks. But to my utter bewilderment, nothing had moved. Elaine remained silent as she continued working on me. I felt nauseous at one point and my whole left side began to tingle.

When it was all over, Elaine encouraged me to take a brief walk to get some air and take a taxi home. The loud noise and bright lights of the subway would be jarring to my subdued state.
Drowsy from the whole experience, I went home and passed out. I woke up the next morning to find this:

I had a bright red itchy bumpy scaly rash on my chest. I stared at it, dumbfounded. I hadn't switched detergents or body washes. I wore an old tank top and yoga pants to my session the night before and an old tee to sleep in.

There was nothing that could have given me a rash. And even if there had been, I would have been red everywhere else, not in my cleavage which is the one place where fabric doesn't touch the skin.

Was it the reiki?!

I emailed Elaine to tell her what happened. She explained it was my heart opening up.

It continued to peel and flake over the course of the next few days until it disappeared. Elaine had also told me that people from my past would try to reconnect with me. I laughed it off at the time.
After all, we've all had someone from the past resurface from time to time but at the present moment, I couldn't think of one person who could possibly resurface.
A few days later I received this text:

Then this one:

And this one:

And finally this one:

I was surprised, to say the least. (Side note: why do guys think you'll have their number saved when you're clearly not dating them anymore?)

Not only had I not heard from the last person in years, I hadn't even thought about her! I literally forgot we were ever friends.
RELATED: The Secret To Living The Best Life Ever (Hint: It's In Your Chakras)
Last but not least (Elaine didn't predict this, but the timing was strangely coincidental and meaningful), my father was diagnosed as bipolar.

His diagnosis came about after a chain reaction to something I had said, which I don't think I would have had the balls to say before. Oddly, it felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from me.
Cliché perhaps, but there's no other way to describe it. His diagnosis made me feel free. I always suspected he was bipolar, but no one else in my family seemed to be interested in my very unofficial diagnosis.
Growing up, I always walked on eggshells hoping something I said didn't result in another volcanic eruption or declaration of impending suicide attempt.

I began to feel as though I was responsible for his outbursts, my "bad behavior" causing him to seethe with fury or plummet into depression.

As I grew into adulthood, I began to understand that wasn't the case. But emotional scars don't just fade even when you want them to, and on some subconscious level, I carried some of that behavior into relationships.

It's been a month now since my Reiki session. Have I met Mr. Right? No, not yet.

However, my life has been blissfully free of anyone emotionally unavailable.

While I've had dates, their lack of progression into something more has been due to lack of chemistry rather than lack of emotional stability. And I'm definitely not tiptoeing around anyone no matter what their behavior.

Would I recommend Reiki? Yes, definitely. Though it's far from a quick-fix solution, I had no doubt that something within my energy had changed. After all, it's not every day my cleavage turns bright red and starts itching.
Alex Alexander is a Yourtango.com pseudonym.
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Post #11 Reasons for belief: Patternicity 

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Post #11 Reasons for belief: Patternicity 

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Patternicity definition: Patternicity is the human tendency to find patterns in random data. It's our brain's way of trying to make sense of the world, but it can sometimes lead us to see connections that aren't there.

Connection: This image illustrates how anecdotes, like perceiving a face in the tree, can mislead us into seeing meaning where none objectively exists. However, demonstrable validity shows that this is an example of patternicity, as the "face" is a random configuration of the tree’s features, not a deliberate design. This emphasizes checking perceptions with facts as opposed to going by feelings.

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Post #12 Reasons for belief: Perception and observation

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Post #12 Reasons for belief: Perception and observation

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Perception and observation definition: The definition of perception and observation is how people generate beliefs with what they see with their eyes or find out from their environment. Such beliefs are usually developed from personal experience or even misconceptions may occur. Though perception gives us firsthand and individualized information, it is relative, and not always accurate, our senses can be misleading. This highlights the importance of critical thinking to distinguish accurate observations from misperceptions.

Connection: The Slender Man is one good illustration of the critical thinking process in the making. Defining the claim as the existence of a tall, faceless figure, we must recognize potential biases like confirmation bias and the appeal to mystery. Evaluating the source of information, such as online forums and personal anecdotes, reveals limitations in credibility and objectivity. The evidence presented, often subjective and anecdotal, lacks scientific rigor. In conclusion, while the Slender Man captivated the imagination, it underscores the importance of critical thinking to discern fact from fiction.

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Ghostly sightings of Slender Man reported in UK town

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’I was awoken just before 2am by an odd scratching noise in my bedroom.

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Simplicity definition: Simplicity in reasons for belief refers to the tendency to accept straightforward explanations and require the least effort to understand. Simple beliefs are often more appealing because they are easier to understand and feel intuitive, even if they overlook complex or nuanced realities.

Connection: The belief in putting steak on a black eye can be evaluated using critical thinking and the scientific method. While anecdotes may support this home remedy, reputable sources like medical professionals debunk it, showing no demonstrable validity for its effectiveness. However, what really helps shrink the swelling is using cold compresses. This highlights the importance of skepticism questioning unproven beliefs and seeking evidence through valid scientific methods.