Assignment 1 / Larissa Lemere & Kendra Webb by Larissa Lemere https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc Pseudoscience and Paranormal en-us 2020-02-10 15:10:56 UTC 2025-12-30 17:33:09 UTC hello@padlet.com Assignment 1 larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443072873 By Larissa Lemere & Kendra Webb]]> 2020-02-10 15:12:42 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443072873 Red Flag #1: Mystical Energy larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443075580 Definition: Mystical energy is energy created and maintained through connection with the divine. It is the energy of the heavens brought down to the earthly realm. When a person prays or meditates, she or he is opening that connection during that moment of prayer or meditation.
 
Connection: This article talks about how crystals and various other semi-precious gems have now become magical trends in the fashion industry. The “vibratory” powers of crystals are now being used in common fashion items such as handbags, jewelry, and other accessories. Even though some people believe that certain crystals and gems have healing powers, most of that is just hearsay and the reality is that most people admire these stones for their beauty; the mysticism that they could potentially “solve your problems” is just an added bonus if you will. If you believe in crystals and their mystical powers, for every problem, there is a stone solution.
]]> 2020-02-10 15:15:48 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443075580 Red Flag #2: Ancient Wisdom larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443076439 Definition: Ancient wisdom is using, products, medicines and other items that people from ancient civilizations used. The problem with this is that people long ago knew much less than we do now, and what they used was probably inferior and practically useless.

Connection: This article discusses how ancient Chinese medicinal practices like acupuncture are not actually useful. Many of the procedures were conjured in pre-scientific eras, when anatomy was still very unknown and superstitions were still taken very seriously. Unfortunately back in those days, people did not have access to the sources we have now, or the education. The article also has some very barbaric examples of how they treated certain ailments back in those days.



]]> 2020-02-10 15:16:48 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443076439 Red Flag #3: Appeal to Authority larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443076783 Definition: Appeal to authority is using authority figures to endorse products. This could be celebrities, institutions, actors/people in white lab coats, or people with PhD's that aren’t in the correct field.

Connection: What does Jennifer Aniston have to do with water? Probably nothing, but a paid endorsement. Smart Water is not stupid, they know that just having her in one of their advertisements is an excellent way to sell their products, especially to the millions of people that have watched and enjoy the show “Friends”. ]]> 2020-02-10 15:17:12 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443076783 Red Flag #4: Proof By Verbosity larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443077141 Definition:Proof by verbosity is the use of red herrings; and a lot of them. It is laying claims on everything using big words that may or may not be true, but obfuscate and confuse the listener. Bulls*it baffles brains as they say!

Connection: This article discusses how the author has not vaccinated her dogs and they are perfectly healthy.
It also discusses how she believes that vaccines are linked to illnesses in dogs. Of course she uses fancy terms and a supposed veterinarian to back her case, but we all know that vaccines are important, not only for humans but also for our canine companions. The modern day, “engineered” if you will, dog is not the same as their ancestor the wolf. Dogs do not have the immune system that a wolf has, and therefore they need the assistance of vaccines for their bodies to be able to combat certain diseases. In her article there is no mention of actual scientific studies done to back her information, only references of old articles.
]]> 2020-02-10 15:17:39 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443077141 Red Flag #5: All Natural larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443077537 Definition: All natural is the idea that foods, medications, cosmetics, and toiletries that are labelled “all natural” are healthier and actually good for you and your body. The truth is though, that the standards for a product being all natural are so low that this label is virtually meaningless, not to mention that many things found in nature are also deadly. Poison Ivy is all natural, would you buy a salve with that as the main ingredient? …I didn’t think so.

Connection: This article unveils the untold truths of “natural” beauty products. Most people believe that when they are purchasing a natural product it has no artificial ingredients, is chemical-free, and made from plants or other ingredients found in nature. Unfortunately though, most of these products are usually chock full of dangerous chemicals that could cause skin irritations, or could cause life altering long-term illnesses. In fact, the definition of natural depends on what country you live in. Different countries have different definitions of the word “natural. Other word like “vegan” and “organic” are legally defined, but “natural” is not legally defined and this gives room for shady ingredients to be put into a product. ]]> 2020-02-10 15:18:04 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443077537 Reason for Belief #1: Patternicity larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443077863
Definition: When a pattern of behaviour/events are being, or attempted to be, observed, while no pattern is truly there.

Connection: The following image of a cliffside rock formation may resemble a horse. Many people may believe this to be a sign, or a calling, but the horse head truly isn't there. The human brain is wired for facial recognition, so we sometimes perceive faces and images that aren't there. 

]]> 2020-02-10 15:18:22 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443077863 Reason for Belief #2: Simplicity larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443078180
Definition: The belief that because an answer is simple, it must be true.

Connection: The image below shows what appears to be a simple math problem. Even those with a significant skill in math may reflexively say the answer is that the ball costs $0.10. This is because it is the simplest answer to the problem. The real correct answer is that the ball must cost $0.05, and the bat must cost $1.05, as when you add these two numbers together, only the is the total truly $1.10. ]]> 2020-02-10 15:18:44 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443078180 Reason for Belief #3: Unexplained larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443078295
Definition: Unknown. In pseudoscience, this is an event/idea that does not have sufficient proof of knowledge to accept or deny its claims. 

Connection: The following image shows a rock that has been moved a seemingly great distance through the sand. With no footprints, or other signs of human or animal activity, how the rock moved is an unexplained phenomena. Due to the fact that no proof can be found to support a logical reason the stone moved, an illogical reason, such as witchcraft or aliens, seems equally plausible. ]]> 2020-02-10 15:18:52 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443078295 Critical Thinking Process larissa4rose https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443078893
This post will demonstrate the critical thinking process behind Reason for Belief #3: the image of the rock being unmoved.

The extraordinary claim with this image is that something/someone superhuman moved this rock, to as not leave a trace.

This blog written by the National Park Foundation (https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/sailing-stones-death-valley) details the phenomena of the moving rocks. This has been occurring in Death Valley National Park, located on the border between Nevada, and California in the USA. This same source offers a scientific explanation, in which they describe natural elements (ice, wind, rain) all working in perfect unison to push the rock. However, the video below is an episode of a show entitled 'Weird or what?". In the show they attempt to simulate these wind and water forces, and find no success in moving the rocks. Local residence believe that this is a "spiritually charged area". That supernatural forces are the reason; either aliens or magic. 

The first source is credible. The article cites scientific research that has followed the scientific method by many different academics. The second source however, must be deemed unreliable, as the nature of the show is to create mystery for the viewer. This mystery increases the popularity of the show, and thus increases the profit that producers are making. The first source is unbiased, and the second has a bias potential. While the 'weird or what' documentary was unable to reproduce the results, the initial article cites another academic who has. The distrust of the documentary is enough to say the results may have been tampered with, or some results excluded. 

Therefore, we can conclude with the scientific evidence: winds and water in this area can reach high speeds and pressure - which is enough to move the rocks.]]> 2020-02-10 15:19:29 UTC https://padlet.com/larissa4rose/7t4vonq7zppc/wish/443078893