Assignment 1 by Larissa Flintoff https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2 Made by Larissa Flintoff, working individually en-us 2022-10-05 17:17:34 UTC 2022-10-14 17:05:46 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f30c.png Post #1 Title: Assignment 1 larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328005407 Made by Larissa Flintoff, Working individually]]> 2022-10-05 17:23:14 UTC https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328005407 Post #2 Red Flag: Appeal to Authority (video) larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328021848 Definition:
The use of Authoritative or celebrity figures- no matter their experience/qualifications- to support or endorse a brand, belief, idea, ect., that makes the product seem credible and honest or the idea to seem like the truth.

Connection:
This video connects to the Red Flag Appeal to Authority as Alyssa Milano- a popular American actress- is promoting the use of Wen Shampoo in the 2013 ad. She explains how Wen made her hair soft and shiny and gave it amazing volume which helps persuade both fans and viewers that after a one-time use, they will see results similar to her own. Unfortunately, her status as a beloved actor does not mean her opinion is qualified to support all aspects of the product, i.e., the formula used. If it did, hundreds of people would not have joined a class action lawsuit in 2015 after the shampoo made their hair fall out. This connection of Appeal to Authority can also be connected to the pseudoscience watchlist that money is involved- people lost money to a defective product while the producers made a profit.

]]> 2022-10-05 17:33:36 UTC https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328021848 Post #3 Red Flag: Ancient Wisdom (Image) larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328038454 Definition:
The belief that peoples and ideas founded in the ancient times have more knowledge and wisdom than those of modern times do.

Connection:
Astrology is an ancient practice that has followed into modern times with many believers who still practice it today even though there is no scientific proof that it’s real. Astrology is the idea that a person’s future can be foretold by the way celestial bodies such as the moon, planets, constellations, and sun are positioned at the time of their birth, and that their personalities are determined by these cosmic phenomena (which is demonstrated with the image). Skepticism and critical thinking can and should be applied to this practice. Asking things like how accurate the predictions are? what dictates how celestial alignments are analyzed and applied- are they biased?  How often are practitioners of astrology found right? What evidence is there to support this practice? are questions that skeptics may ask so that solely the facts of the matter are presented. A flaw to this ancient practice is that it wrongfully categorizes people based on generalizations- i.e., Scorpios are resentful and dark.

]]> 2022-10-05 17:44:46 UTC https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328038454 Post #4 Red Flag: Mystical Energy (article) larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328045460 Definition:
The improper use of the term energy to makes things sound more scientific than they really are paired with spirituality to make it seem like there are viable solutions or forces working on a metaphysical plain.

Connection:
This website “Reiki Infinite Healer Course” goes over how you can learn the mystical energy of Reiki- the channeling of positive energy into the body- to help you alleviate personal stress, pain, and negativity, or to help you heal someone else. This can be connected to the Pseudoscience watchlist for the use of scientific sounding language that is meaningless- the use of biocosmic energy and healing modalities are a major part of this practice in order to restore balance to the body, mind, and spirit by bringing in positive energy and expelling negative energy. A flaw to Reiki healing energy is that there is limited scientific backing- although it’s been practiced for years, even in medical facilities for things like PTSD, it is more of an alternative medicine that mainly works to restoring balance and finding inner peace which in turn helps people relax.

]]> 2022-10-05 17:49:26 UTC https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328045460 Post #5 Red Flag: Confirmation Bias (image) larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328052315 Definition:
When a person’s opinions or beliefs line up with the information they find/are willing to accept; or when research is done and only confirming support is accepted while contradicting information is ignored.

Connection:
The picture demonstrates confirmation bias because we ignore the things that don’t line up with our own belief system. There are several flaws in shedding all acknowledgment of contradicting information to our own opinion, two of which are we are often left with misinformation or only half of a truth, and we are often left with old or outdated evidence to support our views. A pseudoscience watchlist that can be applied to this photo is the lack of progression- holding the same biased views without willingness to learn outside of them leaves no room for advancement or change since they were formed.

]]> 2022-10-05 17:53:58 UTC https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328052315 Post #6 Red Flag: Proof of Verbosity(image) larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328059620 Definition:
Providing large amounts of “evidence” and information towards an argument that doesn’t really support it and more so acts to make viewers believe that with that much information their claim is undoubtedly true.

Connection:
Proof of verbosity is demonstrated by this image as there are four boxes with the same concept. The first is the concept in simplest terms, and the last is the concept in the most complex terms. Because of its complexity and use of overwhelming details, the last one makes for a more "convincing" argument that “reality is an illusion” and “the universe is a hologram.” A pseudoscience watchlist that can be applied to this connection is the use of scientific-sounding language that is meaningless- throughout the text there are many words normally associated or used within the field of astronomy.


]]> 2022-10-05 17:57:33 UTC https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328059620 Post #7 Reason for Belief: Patternicity (image) larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328071631 Definition:
As humans we look for patterns in seemingly random objects to help us understand what we are seeing/experiencing because we like to make things more human; we like to make sense of things that are otherwise senseless.

Connection:
This picture represents patternicity found in constellations. Astronomers look to the sky and make out groups of stars which they name after the shape they look like or a mythological figure. Constellations have been used to make sense of the universe and our place in it; they are patterns that help us find order in an otherwise chaotic system. A limitation to constellations is that not everyone can look up and see them either because of their geographical location, the lack of necessary technology, or even the lack of creative vision. Our perception & observation varies from person to person and is shaped by our biases, so where someone might see an archer in the stars (reference to image), another may think it looks like a deformed beetle or a block of misshapen molecules.

]]> 2022-10-05 18:05:18 UTC https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328071631 Post #8 Reason for Belief: Unexplained (video) larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328078166 Definition:
When we don’t know the cause of something because there is not yet an explanation, we come up with our own.

Connection:
This video shows the Reason of Belief of the Unexplained as the Bermuda Triangle, one of the world mysteries that stump academics and enthusiasts alike. The video discusses the different theories that go towards explaining the many unsolved disappearances of transport. Skepticism and the critical thinking process can be applied to this video of what happens inside the Bermuda triangle and would be very useful for weeding out the facts from fiction- to evaluate the evidence and credibility, record any assumptions or biases, and to consider the alternatives behind the disappearances would allow for a more logical explanation of the triangle. Some of the theories may stem from an emotional connection. If the people who believe in/proposed them had any personal connections to the ships sunk or the planes gone missing, then their rationale may be clouded. Or some theories may come from agenticity- more and more ships have sunk and instead of them just being a meaningless loss of cargo and life, they put a higher intention behind it so there can be a true purpose. 

]]> 2022-10-05 18:09:41 UTC https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328078166 Post #9 Reason for Belief: Ideological Support (article) larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328079770 Definition:
Ideological support is given based on ideas mostly related to religion, politics, economics and culture. Some people act on their beliefs because they think it is the right thing to do morally and/or ethically.

Connection:
This article explains the Jonestown massacre which is a severe example of ideological support. Jim Jones- a minister and leader of the massacre- had a goal to make a communist community. He combined political and religious ideology to gain followers to join his cause. A pseudoscience watchlist that connects to this situation is the appeal to emotion. Jones’ cause was open to all, no matter race, gender, or sexuality, so this was a very integrated congregation. A lot of people were probably interested during this time because they had a place that would accept them and where they could socialize without being shunned in any manner. Also, when people were persuaded to follow through with the “revolutionary suicide,” many must have been flooded with fear and panic of what the government would do to them and their children which trumped their rational thoughts.


]]> 2022-10-05 18:10:42 UTC https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328079770 Post #10 Critical thinking Process: larryflint532 https://padlet.com/larryflint532/igi63qer4x4pgcq2/wish/2328099001 I chose to evaluate the video What Happens Inside the Bermuda Triangle? | Unveiled

Define problem:
What causes the mysterious disappearances of planes and ships in the Bermuda Triangle?

Gather Information:
This video is made by a YouTube channel called Unveiled. They look at conspiracies, their theories and then focus on the most logical reasonings. In this video, Unveiled lists several theories, but focuses mainly on the more natural explanations of strange disappearances such as planes running out fuel due to miscalculations and ships being improperly structured or taken by angry seas.

Evaluate Evidence:
Unveiled has been an educational page since they joined YouTube in 2014. They are a branch from the company WatchMojo which is known for combining information and entertainment. Some of the material used in this video does relate to scientific arguments of what happens in the Bermuda triangle. The facts have been cross referenced and there are other studies that have been completed that share the same sentiments, mainly towards the more mundane theories. The sources that have done the fact checking have reproduced results by means of simulations, charting flight/sailing patterns, and researching the conditions/circumstances surrounding the vanished transports. All follow the scientific method.

Recognize assumptions, emotions, biases:
For the examples provided in the video, Unveiled details the situations recorded before and after the transports went missing and comes to the conclusion that it is human error that is largely responsible for the strange disappearances. However, they still appeal to our love of mystery by stating the thousands of ships that have gone missing over the years that remain as unsolved mysteries without any explanations. Throughout the video Unveiled appeals to viewers emotions of wonder and curiosity by briefly indulging the legends and myths surrounding the Bermuda triangle, leaving some hope for supernatural enthusiasts.

Synthesize evidence, Identify alternatives:
Alternative solution 1: Ships and planes mainly go missing in the Bermuda triangle for supernatural cosmic reasons i.e., wormholes and aliens. (Supported largely by conspiracists)
Alternative solution 2: Ships and planes mainly go missing in the Bermuda triangle due to natural causes i.e., storms and bad weather. (Supported largely by skeptics)
Alternative solution 3: Ships and planes mainly go missing in the Bermuda triangle due to human error i.e., miscalculations and poor structural building. (Supported largely by skeptics and researchers)
Alternative solution 4: Ships and planes mainly go missing in the Bermuda triangle due to undiscovered reasons i.e., unknown aquatic life and/or passages. (Supported by both skeptics and conspiracists) 

Select best alternative:
In conclusion, Ships and planes mainly go missing in the Bermuda triangle due to human error.



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