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Post #10Critical Thinking Step-by-Step ProcessI chose to evaluate Appeal to Authority, although the padlet post speaks to a commercial with Matthew McConaughey selling Lincoln cars, I chose a topic that would speak directly to our course.Define Problem:The problem with appeal to authority is the affect it can have on vulnerable people such as parents with a sick child may seek assistance from a naturopath instead of the licenced medical doctor; people who are in a vulnerable state within their life may seek out the assistance of either a psychic or a fortune teller in an attempt to find some sort of answer that will set their mind at ease. In this sense, the person within an authoritative role claims to have the ability to assist through their claimed skill.Gather Information:The problem with appeal to authority is the affect it can have on vulnerable people such as parents with a sick child may seek assistance from a naturopath instead of the licenced medical doctor; people who are in a vulnerable state within their life may seek out the assistance of either a psychic or a fortune teller in an attempt to find some sort of answer that will set their mind at ease. In this sense, the person within an authoritative role claims to have the ability to assist through their claimed skill.Evaluate Evidence:Kitty Parker is a self proclaimed Psychic and Spiritual Counselor, and while she believes she is gifted with both abilities, her website, http://www.kittyparker.com/radio.html, also speaks to avoiding psychic fraud. In fact, her she has dedicated a whole page as a lesson on what to look out for, what’s real and what’s not. This is a true appeal to authority as this website can not be any more geared towards providing people with a glimpse into her own honesty, credibility and integrity through her blatant acknowledgement of psychic fraud. Further, she provides people with information in order to avoid spending their pensions, pay cheques, or social assistance cheques on the fraudulent claims of psychic abilities. Kudos to her!However, Kitty Parker, as noted above, is herself a self proclaimed Psychic and Spiritual Counselor. To this end, she offers various different services to the public through reading, attending a psychic party, provides Spiritual Counseling, shares her view on natural healing, provides information about White and Dark Magic, provides information on Tarot Cards, and even has her own Radio show.Recognize Assumptions, Emotions, Biases:This source is credible as there are approximately 17 testimonials that outline the truth of her work and how it has assisted them in the way she told them it would. She is quite popular in the United States both in physical bookings, but also on KTAR 620AM in Phoenix Arizona. She was also heard throughout 7 of the United States when she attended a radio show called Moby in the Morning, on October 30, 2008. To perform the scientific method would be difficult as the only information that would be available to test the information would be the testimonials.Synthesize Evidence, Identify Alternative:I believe that some people are truly gifted, however, I have a hard time in believing in psychic’s who claim to be able to read people over a radio, or who provide services for their personal gain (monetary or property gains). This impacts must trust of those who people who take advantage of the vulnerable without a second thought as I believe that if one is gifted, they should want to help people instead of taking their money. This alone would be a gift. As outlined in Psychologist World, (https://www.psychologistworld.com/cognitive/cold_reading.php), the information provided to a person who has sought out the assistance of a clairvoyant, has a direct impact on their behaviour. As soon as a reading happens, that person seems to cling onto the information that is most closely related to their situation, while forgetting the rest of the information that was provided. Thereby allowing that person some relief. The alternative to this would be to have that person continue on with a feeling of doubt, distress and/or depression.Select Best Alternative:The best alternative to this appeal to authority would be to either provide guidelines for those psychic’s that are practicing in terms of what they are allowed to charge people, provide a tax form for their income that would accommodate the payments that come in cash form, or attempt to pass a bill that would assist in the governing of this ‘employment’ practice. This is the only way that will stop the imposters from robbing the most vulnerable people.

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Post #10Critical Thinking Step-by-Step ProcessI chose to evaluate Appeal to Authority, although the padlet post speaks to a commercial with Matthew McConaughey selling Lincoln cars, I chose a topic that would speak directly to our course.Define Problem:The problem with appeal to authority is the affect it can have on vulnerable people such as parents with a sick child may seek assistance from a naturopath instead of the licenced medical doctor; people who are in a vulnerable state within their life may seek out the assistance of either a psychic or a fortune teller in an attempt to find some sort of answer that will set their mind at ease. In this sense, the person within an authoritative role claims to have the ability to assist through their claimed skill.Gather Information:The problem with appeal to authority is the affect it can have on vulnerable people such as parents with a sick child may seek assistance from a naturopath instead of the licenced medical doctor; people who are in a vulnerable state within their life may seek out the assistance of either a psychic or a fortune teller in an attempt to find some sort of answer that will set their mind at ease. In this sense, the person within an authoritative role claims to have the ability to assist through their claimed skill.Evaluate Evidence:Kitty Parker is a self proclaimed Psychic and Spiritual Counselor, and while she believes she is gifted with both abilities, her website, http://www.kittyparker.com/radio.html, also speaks to avoiding psychic fraud. In fact, her she has dedicated a whole page as a lesson on what to look out for, what’s real and what’s not. This is a true appeal to authority as this website can not be any more geared towards providing people with a glimpse into her own honesty, credibility and integrity through her blatant acknowledgement of psychic fraud. Further, she provides people with information in order to avoid spending their pensions, pay cheques, or social assistance cheques on the fraudulent claims of psychic abilities. Kudos to her!However, Kitty Parker, as noted above, is herself a self proclaimed Psychic and Spiritual Counselor. To this end, she offers various different services to the public through reading, attending a psychic party, provides Spiritual Counseling, shares her view on natural healing, provides information about White and Dark Magic, provides information on Tarot Cards, and even has her own Radio show.Recognize Assumptions, Emotions, Biases:This source is credible as there are approximately 17 testimonials that outline the truth of her work and how it has assisted them in the way she told them it would. She is quite popular in the United States both in physical bookings, but also on KTAR 620AM in Phoenix Arizona. She was also heard throughout 7 of the United States when she attended a radio show called Moby in the Morning, on October 30, 2008. To perform the scientific method would be difficult as the only information that would be available to test the information would be the testimonials.Synthesize Evidence, Identify Alternative:I believe that some people are truly gifted, however, I have a hard time in believing in psychic’s who claim to be able to read people over a radio, or who provide services for their personal gain (monetary or property gains). This impacts must trust of those who people who take advantage of the vulnerable without a second thought as I believe that if one is gifted, they should want to help people instead of taking their money. This alone would be a gift. As outlined in Psychologist World, (https://www.psychologistworld.com/cognitive/cold_reading.php), the information provided to a person who has sought out the assistance of a clairvoyant, has a direct impact on their behaviour. As soon as a reading happens, that person seems to cling onto the information that is most closely related to their situation, while forgetting the rest of the information that was provided. Thereby allowing that person some relief. The alternative to this would be to have that person continue on with a feeling of doubt, distress and/or depression.Select Best Alternative:The best alternative to this appeal to authority would be to either provide guidelines for those psychic’s that are practicing in terms of what they are allowed to charge people, provide a tax form for their income that would accommodate the payments that come in cash form, or attempt to pass a bill that would assist in the governing of this ‘employment’ practice. This is the only way that will stop the imposters from robbing the most vulnerable people.

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Confirmation Bias
I feel that people who are looking for that confirmation in their life, are going through a difficult time. They know what the answer is, but they dont want to believe it, and are looking for that one person (  a physic ) will tell them the answer they are looking for, and this is their confirmation. People are usually very emotional and are upset and will look for any positive answer that they can get at this difficult time. I am assuming that is why most people will see a psychic after they had lost a loved one, looking to see if there is a message from them, or if they just lost a job and seeing if they will get a job within the next 3 months.

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Red Herring
I believe that people would follow the irrelevant information that has been placed to distract them if it had been put out by the government. I personally believe that the government has more things going on then they tell us about, and once certian things get released into the public, they send out a red herring that is used to distract people from the bigger issue. At one point of our lives, I believe that we all have fallen for the red herring, rather it be in a novel, movie or even within society. A lot of people feel that the Ebola outbreak was a distraction from a much larger issue that the government was trying to cover up. For several weeks, thats all that you would hear about on the news, how many people became ill, and how the death toll was climbing. Then, a few weeks after, it was gone.

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All Natural
No one wants to add chemicals to their body. People are turning to the all natural approach in hopes of living a healthier lifestyle, which  is also including pharmaceutical methods as well. More people are turning to a Naturalpathic Doctor  vs. going to see their regular family doctor for medications due to the chemicals that would be perscribed to them. I believe that people would feel that seeing a naturalpath would be better for them because they are called "doctors" and the client would feel that they are doing something good for their well being by taking a natural approach to their health. People are starting to follow this trend more so now, beacuse they even have "all natural" bedsheets, make up, hair products, and the list will go on. There is also a new debate on what is better, all natural or organic. I feel that once people see that there are no chemicals that are added to the products, they automatically feel that this is the best thing for them, and will treat whatever issue they have with the natural approach, even though its not the right choice. Just beacuse it is all natural and the ingredients come from the flowers, trees etc... does not mean that it will cure your illness and is not always good for you.

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Definition:
Confirmation bias occurs from the direct influence of desire on beliefs. People who want to believe something, even though they know that its not true, they will ignore the facts and convince themself that it is true. A lot of people who are going through a difficult time, will look for something positive in the situation that they are in. People will turn to a psychic/fortune teller which they believe will help them turn the negitive situation into something positive and they believe that the psychic will have them look at the situation in a different light.
Connection:
Below is a blog about the different methods of confirmation bias that people can turn to when they are trying to make sence of their situation. The "fraudulent" people out there who are prying on peoples emotions are making a living off of guessing specific, yet geriatric questions, but due to that persons emotional state, they are only remebering the 5 questions that somewhat have a meaning that the psychic got correct, but forgot about the other 26 questions that they had got wrong.

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Definition:
The ancients had some pretty interesting ways of thinking when it came to their ancient wisdom. Ranging from blood-letting, rain dancing, and for many years, they had burned people whom they believed were witches for various reasons.
Connection:
The link that I had posted below is about the Czech and thir tradition to burn witches on April 30. The belief goes, on the evening of April 30, they will build a bonfire and prepare an effigy of the witch that had made their winter so long and cold. They believe that when they burn the witch, this will weaken her powers, and would make the winter end the warmer weather would start once she became weak. This is also a social gathering where they would roast food over the fire, sing songs and when the darkness fell, they would face the spirits of the witches.

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The Burning of the Witches, April 30

Contributed by Petr Chudoba:
On the evening of April 30th, Czechs gather to build a bonfire and prepare an effigy of the witch that kept winter around so long. Czechs used to believe that the power of witches would weaken as the weather got warmer. So they thought that if they made something that looked like a witch and burned it, they could finally get rid of the cold weather. First, they tie two large sticks together to form a cross. Then they stuff old shirts, pants and socks with straw and place a pointed hat on the top of the stack. The witch is tied to a broomstick and set aside until darkness falls. When the fire is roaring, people roast sausages on sticks, strum guitars, and sing their favorite songs. Everyone looks forward to nightfall, when they will face the spirits of the witches. As soon as it's dark, the effigy of the witch is brought out and held up for all to see. Then, with a heave of the arm, it is thrown on top of the bonfire. As the witch burns, so does the last of winter's chill.

Contributed by Dayan:
The older kids of the village are placed in charge of building the biggest pyre they can with whatever they can find to burn. These fires get huge. The kids of the village I was in used tractors to haul tree trunks to the riverbank site. They set up the tree trunks in a TeePee style and then stuffed it full of dry grass, old tires and trash. As if that weren't enough they doused it with some sort of petrol substance. Building this pyre looked like a lot of fun for the kids. They worked all day on it. Villages on opposite sides of a river bank will turn this holiday into a competition. Biggest fire wins. Before dusk all the kids of the village gather at the end of town furthest from the river and light their torches. An ugly doll representing a witch is then paraded through the village. I'm not fluent in Czech, so I don't know what most of the kids were saying, but it didn't sound nice. In any case at the end of the parade route the witch is set atop the pyre and set ablaze as all the kids throw their torches at it. It was so much fun. The kids build the biggest fire they can and the adults drink as much great tasting beer/pivo as they can. In the end all the evil spirits of the village go up in smoke with the foul witch.

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burning witches czech republic spring tradition

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The Czech Tradition of Burning the Witches

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The Burning of the Witches, April 30 Contributed by Petr Chudoba: On the evening of April 30th, Czechs gather to build a bonfire and prepare an effigy of the witch that kept winter around so long. Czechs used to believe that the power of witches would weaken as the weather got warmer.

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Definition:
Red Herring is a term that is used to describe a misleading or distracting clue that is irrelevant to the important issue. The expression Red Herring is from an English polemicist, William Cobbett, who had used a kipper, which is a very strong smelling, smoked fish to distract the hounds that were chasing a hare. Going forward, this has now become a term that is used a lot in novels, movies, and even in the media.
Connection:
Most  people believe that the government uses "red herring" techniques to distract society from the problem and have them focus on things that  are irrelevant to the real issue that is at hand. Sone examples of this would include the events that happened on 9/11, pharmaceutical companies, and even the economy. Below is a "famous" 9/11 artical that was posted that has a lot of red herring. This article is discussing the orginal post, and making the irrelevent issues relevant.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/saudi-arabias-alleged-involvement-in-the-911-attacks-red-herring/5442545

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Definition:
The new "Fad" is every thing natural. People are trying to treat common colds, acne, pain and hair with an all natural product. When someone is suffering from a common cold, after a few days, the most logical thing to do is see a doctor if your symptoms become worse, or you are still sick. A new approach that people are trying is trating these symptoms with an all natural remedy. People are treating a cold with a large amount of vitimins and mineral oils to treat the symptoms, and potentially curing the virus.
Connection:
Below is a newspaper article with an incident that happened in 2013 to a little boy who had died of strep throat because his mother never took him to see a doctor, but had tried to cure the infection with  holistic medicine, which had killed him.

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Experts say the trial of a woman who turned to holistic medicine before the death of her seven-year-old son is likely to reignite a debate over the use of natural and alternative treatments.

Tamara Lovett, 47, is charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life and with criminal negligence causing the death of Ryan Alexander Lovett.

Her trial is set to begin in Calgary on Monday.

Ryan died in March 2013 after getting a strep infection that kept him bedridden for 10 days. An autopsy revealed the boy died as a result of a Group A streptococcus infection.

Police say the Calgary woman called for help early in the morning on March 2, 2013, fearing her son was suffering a seizure. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

Herbal remedies

They have alleged Lovett chose to treat the bacterial infection with homeopathic herbal remedies instead of taking her son to a doctor.

"In the short term, these cases may polarize the debate and lead to a further entrenchment for the true believers," said Tim Caulfield, research director of the University of Alberta's Health Law and Science Policy Group.

"However, over the long term, I am hopeful they will help the broader public debate."

Police say there's no record of the boy ever being taken to a doctor for annual checkups or any treatment.

Investigators say the woman's friends were worried about the child's health and urged her to take him to a physician.

"The cases are a very dramatic and sad statement that we should not put personal beliefs about pseudo-science over the interests and welfare of children," said Caulfield.

Stephans trial

It's not the first time in 2016 the issue of natural medicine and the death of a child have been before the courts. In April, David and Collet Stephan were found guilty by a jury in Lethbridge, Alta., of failing to provide the necessaries of life for their 19-month-old son Ezekiel.

The couple treated Ezekiel with smoothies containing hot peppers, onions and horseradish when he became ill. He died of bacterial meningitis in hospital. A number of people, including a nurse who was a family friend, recommended the parents take Ezekiel to a doctor.

The Stephans, who are appealing, argued their conviction set a dangerous precedent in Canada, because if "we do not fall in line with parenting as seen fit by the government, we all stand in risk of criminal prosecution."

One step further

University of Calgary bioethicist Juliet Guichon said the law should go one step further and hold friends and family members accountable in a child's death.

"The legal system requires citizens to alert child welfare that a child is in danger. Citizens just have to call 911 and they can do so anonymously," she said.

"Perhaps the police will find evidence that someone had reasonable and probable grounds to believe that the child was in need of intervention and yet did not report this information. If so, then will charges be laid against that person for failing to report the child needed help?"

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Trial of mother who treated fatally ill son with herbal remedies set to start | CBC News

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Experts say the trial of a woman who turned to holistic medicine before the death of her seven-year-old son is likely to reignite a debate over the use of natural and alternative treatments. Tamara Lovett, 47, is charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life and with criminal negligence causing the death of Ryan Alexander Lovett.

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Post #2- Red Flags: Appeal to Authority 

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Post #2- Red Flags: Appeal to Authority 

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Definition:
Celebrities are known for using their status and popularity to convince the average person to buy a product they are trying to sell. This can range anywhere from diet pills, baby products to cars. Even if the celebrity has no experience or knowledge on this product, they will convince you that they are an expert and that this is the best thing out there.
Connection:
This video is with Matthew McConaughey driving a vehicle by Lexus. This is demonstrating Appeal to Authority red flag because Matthew is avery well known actor who lives a very lavish lifestyle. He is using his status in the commercial to help sell the Lexus name to his fans. During the commercial, he is reminissing and making a statment " Sometimes you've got to go back, to actually move forward"
This appeal to authority is something that we will see several times a day, everyday. Anywhere from the commercials, talk shows, going to the store etc... you will find some celebrity endorsing a product convincing you to buy it.

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Assignment # 1- By Stephanie Foo and Stephanie Commanda

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Assignment # 1- By Stephanie Foo and Stephanie Commanda