https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf Made by Grace Leigh Donnelly, Working Individually en-us 2023-10-01 21:36:52 UTC 2023-10-10 20:43:36 UTC hello@padlet.com gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727727363 Definition:

"Use of Scientific-Sounding Language that is Meaningless" refers to certain words and phrases that are often used in a marketing context to lure people into purchasing a product or service. This is often done by making consumers think it's based in science, when it really isn't. Some examples of this language include, "mystical energy", "psychotronic amplification system", "healing modalities" and "biocosmic energy."

Connection:

The New York Times article, "How Fake Science Sells Wellness" relates to to this pseudoscience watchlist item because it delves into how it's not only meaningless jargon that's thrown at consumers, but also uses web sources that lead to singular studies on topics that are still in their infancy. For example, the author, Rina Raphael, mentions how Kombucha is often marketed as "microbiome-friendly", which is problematic because that field of study is still new to researchers. Therefore, we don't know how things like Kombucha might affect microbiomes in the long run. Finally, this article related to this watchlist item, by pointing out common  vague claims on products like "prebiotic soda", "skin detoxing", and "energy enhancement."



]]> 2023-10-01 21:41:40 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727727363 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727727585 Definition:
Convincing by faith and belief indicates that someone's beliefs are being swayed by just believing in your heart and mind that something is true. This pseudoscience watch list item is compounded by the fact that there is often evidence to the contrary, but purveyors of these beliefs still try to push their validity anyways. Examples include saying "spiritual beings are present" and "science can't explain mystical connections.

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I chose a picture of a church, as I believe this is a prime example of convincing by faith and belief (in spite of evidence). Although there is nothing inherently wrong with believing in religion or a higher power, Christianity is the number 1 most followed religion in the world for a reason. While colonization has played a role in this fact, I think it also has to do with believers and religious authorities convincing people by telling them to "just have faith" or to turn to the bible when they're dealing with various issues. This is especially dangerous since any skepticism is shot down as coming after religious freedom or even persecution. In extreme cases, those who try to exercise critical thinking in regards to religion, can even be harmed or killed because blasphemy or being a heretic is illegal in many parts of the world.]]> 2023-10-01 21:42:15 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727727585 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727727817 Definition:

This refers to purveyors of pseudoscience who make money off of their services or products. In many cases, money/fame is the motive and vulnerable people can lose their life savings.

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Scam Everlasting: After 25 Years, Debunked Faith Healer Still Preaching Debt Relief Scam, by Christopher Maag is a perfect example of money being a motivator for pseudoscience scams and faith healing. The article details Maag's infiltration into Peter Popoff's scam that claims God will erase all of your debt. Maag talks about how he followed Popoff's instructions to email him a $20 cheque, drizzle "blessed oils" over bills and drink holy water to cure debt. Obviously, it turns out that this didn't work out for Maag and he did not supply him with anymore money. However, many people were not so lucky. One impoverished single mother sent him up to $300 at one point in order to erase her debt. Peter Popoff and his church made $24 million off of scamming people just like her. This is a perfect example of "money is often involved" because all of Popoff's scams are easily debunked and uses supernatural or paranormal forces, as well as anecdotes from other victims to trick people into paying large sums of money when they're already drowning in debt.

]]> 2023-10-01 21:42:52 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727727817 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727727940 Definition:

This pseudoscience watchlist item refers to something that hasn't changed even if the concept or field has existed for a very long time.

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I chose a website that calculates your Astrology Birth Chart because I think this is a prime example of something that doesn't progress. Many people justify their bias towards astrology because it was used by some of the greatest scientific and philosophical minds of the ancient world. However, where each constellation appeared thousands of years ago has shifted and no longer holds up as a legitimate assessment of someone's personality traits. Many people claim to be astrology experts and even use it to make vital life decisions, despite their being no reputable evidence of its benefits.]]> 2023-10-01 21:43:04 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727727940 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728099 Definition:

All Natural refers to the Red Flag that involves marketing products that claim everything is natural and is therefore safer. These products are often sold as a cure for the "poison" big pharma is trying to sell consumers.

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This object is a great choice because it warns people to use the critical thinking process when shopping for "all natural" or "organic" products. Many of these items are either using false advertising and often do have synthetic materials in them, or these natural materials may actually be toxic when ingested or applied to the skin. This is especially important in regards to some of the things in the photo, like baby products and ingestibles. However, the term "all natural" is a very insidious term as many assume it's safe and therefore, acts as a barrier to critical thinking.

]]> 2023-10-01 21:43:28 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728099 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728165 Definition:

Mystical Energy is a red flag that references how words like energy or "chi" are put into product claims to make them sound more scientific.

Connection:

I decided to use a picture of the Seven Chakras as well as a link to a website with the tag line, "Exploring A Mystical Dimension of Ones Self." This clearly demonstrates mystical energy because not only does the blog begin with the word, "mystical", it mentions chakras, which is basically another way of talking about the body's energy fields. Many people, like the author of this blog buy into this pseudoscience even when it has yet to show any demonstrable validity.


]]> 2023-10-01 21:43:38 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728165 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728236 Definition:

Laying out claims and "evidence" so quickly that no one can possibly respond, with the intent to make the other party look unintelligent or uninformed.

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I used a photo of the 9/11 attacks because many people use the proof by verbosity red flag when justifying their conspiracies about this tragedy. They might rapidly ask questions like, "Why were all ultra rich business-men cleared out of the building before 9/11?" and "Why did George Bush have ties to Iraq/Afghanistan before and after 9/11?" This is done to silence any skepticism and therefore, critical thinking is stifled.]]> 2023-10-01 21:43:48 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728236 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728304 Definition:

The idea that conspirator talking points are swept under the rug to keep people unhealthy or uneducated.

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I used a picture of a vaccine being prepared because not only is it a hot button topic right now, it's also a great example of this red flag. Many people since the Covid-19 pandemic have taken up the mantle of being against vaccines (anti-vaxx). Specifically, they rally against the COVID vaccines made by Moderna, Astra-Zeneca, and  Pfizer. They often make arguments that vaccines are trying to make people sick, take away your freedom, and the worst part of all, the "elite" don't want you to know about it. This is all said despite the use of the scientific method to develop vaccines.]]> 2023-10-01 21:44:00 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728304 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728372 Definition:

The Appeal to Authority red flag refers to the use of authoritative imagery to lend credibility to a product or service.

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Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop represent this red flag because of how she sells wellness products and has a very large presence in the company. Goop products have been known to cause adverse reactions in people, and some are based on outright pseudoscience. However, many people still go to her events and buy her products because she is a celebrity who promotes a "healthy" lifestyle that many aspire to have. Therefore, consumers' put their critical thinking skills on the back burner.]]> 2023-10-01 21:44:13 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728372 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728783 Definition:

Individuals naturally look for patterns as a survival mechanism. Dr. Michael Shermer defines it as "the tendency to find meaningful patterns in meaningful and meaningless noise."

Connection:

To me, the obvious connection is to use Michael Shermer's official website where the quote in the definition is from. He uses examples to explain his ideas. For example,  seeing faces in window stains or religious people seeing the Virgin Mary on the side of a building. Because every human has a bias of some sort, a lot of things that seem to be paranormal are debunked to just be abstract imagery.]]> 2023-10-01 21:45:15 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728783 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728845 Definition:

Scientific solutions can be difficult to understand so many individuals try to explain it using less complex answers.

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The reason I used a dialysis machine is because I have a personal connection to this reason for belief. Someone I know has had many health issues related to their kidneys and they are also very religious. Because of these health issues, doctors recommended this person get dialysis. They didn't want to, as they didn't understand it and wanted to use prayer instead of using traditional sources to get better.]]> 2023-10-01 21:45:24 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728845 gdonnelly9 https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728900 Definition:

Agenticity refers to assigning intention, meaning, and agency, often to invisible beings.

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I chose this video because the thumbnail contains supposed evidence of aliens existing. Many unexplained phenomena is chalked up to the paranormal or UFOs, which are often seen via distorted videos/images or described through anecdotes of witnessing unexplained forces.]]> 2023-10-01 21:45:33 UTC https://padlet.com/gdonnelly9/3m2hum3re39qoeyf/wish/2727728900