https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7 Assignment 1, Paranormal and Pseudoscience. Due October 10th. en-us 2023-10-04 20:47:49 UTC 2023-10-06 19:07:21 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f9d9-2640.png hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732760588 Hannah Maschke]]> 2023-10-04 20:51:31 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732760588 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732781980 Definition:
 Buzz words are used in an attempt to sound scientific and mislead others.

Connection:
This article hosted on Oprah's website is a perfect example of use of scientific-sounding language that is meaningless. The article uses terms such as "positive energy", "spiritual energy", "palpable goodness", "aura", "transformation", "gamma energy", "eternal connection", among many other buzz words. The author claims that the energy inside of us is "the world's greatest renewable power source", which immediately does not give a very scientific impression. The term energy is defined as the ability to do work. When taking this into account, using energy as a buzzword for a mystical power sounds especially asinine. The author misuses the term throughout the article, and is intentionally vague regarding "how to radiate positive energy". We should consider the bias and authority of the author. The bias is to appeal to the demographic of the magazine, middle aged women, who look up to Oprah and consider her to be a truthful source. In reality, Oprah is NOT a reliable source. She has brought Dr. Oz to fame, who is well-known for peddling unproven alternative medicines and faith healing (This entertainer is so problematic that the National Library of Medicine released a journal entitled "What is wrong with Dr. Oz"). They simply peddle pseudoscience and promises of wellness for profit. The only seemingly scientific reference in this article is a reference to a study- The author references another author who once mentioned a study in their writing. When I clicked on the link in hopes of viewing the study, the link brought me to a an Amazon.com link to purchase a book- very likely that this is a paid undercover advertisement. The use of scientific sounding language has long been used as a means for con men to earn their fortunes, and we should all be wary when we encounter it.]]> 2023-10-04 21:19:22 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732781980 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732804817 Definition: Pseudoscience is often a scam that costs money.
 
Connection:
I briefly touched on money being involved in my post about using scientific sounding language that is meaningless. There are unfortunately many scams in which the author/salesperson claims to want to help others, and promote health and wellness. This is commonly found with faith healers and unproven alternative medicine. I did some research on local reiki healers in the area. What I found was shocking to me. A local massage parlor is offering reiki- a mystical form of medicine which claims to use energy from within to cure illness. The site offers a bio about the Reiki Masters who provide the care. The first bio I read made claims that the Reiki therapist went into a two week coma and "crossed to the other side", and that she beat cancer without treatment. It did not claim that Reiki was what cured her cancer, but it implied it just enough to imprint the idea into the head of the reader. The site did not give the pricing of sessions. I googled the average price of a Reiki session in Toronto, and it often costs up to $90/ hour per session- that is quite expensive for an unproven therapy that has no scientific basis.
I have personal experience with this. As a young teen I suffered from debilitating migraines which were not responding well to pain killers. My aunt took me to a Reiki Master who performed Reiki on me by humming and putting her hands on and around my head. It (not surprisingly) did not help in the slightest, but it did cost my parents money. ]]> 2023-10-04 21:51:55 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732804817 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732812509 Definition: Pseudoscience often relies on "Ancient wisdom" and traditions. If something relies on Ancient wisdom and has not made any progress since ancient times, it should be questioned.

Connection:
I have attached a link from crystalage.com, a website that promotes crystal healing on the basis that it is an wellness and healing tool used by the Ancient Egyptians, the Ancient Sumerians, and the Ancient Greeks. This belief combines a few of the red flags mentioned in this course, including Ancient wisdom, Mystical energy, and confirmation bias. The use of crystals is a self fulfilling prophecy- if you truly believe it will work, it very well might; but this is not because the crystals actually have healing powers. This is because of confirmation bias. It is similar to how a placebo treatment will cause symptoms during a pharmaceutical trial.
If a treatment has not progressed in any way in the past few hundred or thousand years, that is a massive red flag. Proven medicines and therapies are constantly changing due to the progression of modern technology. If something has not had any updates in this time it is not because it has been perfected. It is not the wheel. It is more likely that there is no  actual science behind it to progress, and it is simply a belief.]]> 2023-10-04 22:04:19 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732812509 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732828875 Definition: Emotion is often used as a basis for arguments in an attempt to persuade the audience. Emotions can be powerful and convincing even with a lack of evidence.

Connection:
The object I chose for this post is an article about the claim that vaccines lead to autism. The study that started this rumor was debunked and is now known to be a hoax, but why do so many people still believe in such a prime example of pseudoscience?
The answer is simple- emotion.
Appeal to emotion is the easiest way for some to present their argument. Instead of using actual facts and scientific research to prove a claim, it is easier to use the audience's emotions to win them over. Emotions can obscure rational thought and be a barrier to critical thinking. Regarding the anti-vaccine crowd, they do not have science on their side. They appeal to emotion to get their point across. The emotion they use is fear. They strike fear into the hearts of parents who would do anything to help their children. They cause panic and sow distrust in the medical community, and it is effective. Children are a parents greatest weakness, and using fear around children is the lowest way to win an argument and the easiest way to force anti-vaccine beliefs among the population. This hoax has caused panic and lead to entire epidemics, which goes to show how effective it is to appeal to emotion.

]]> 2023-10-04 22:31:12 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2732828875 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735913800 Definition: A red flag of pseudoscience is Suppression by Authorities. This is the belief that a claim with no proof is true, and that it is a conspiracy hidden by the government.

Connection:
Suppression by Authorities is a common red flag found in pseudoscience and conspiracy theories. It is a convenient way for some to explain why there isn't proof to back up their claims. An example of this red flag is how many people believe in the existence of aliens, and believe that aliens have visited Earth before; and that the government is involved in a massive cover-up- yet they have no proof to explain why they believe this. The object I chose for this post is a post I found on reddit. This thread demonstrates Suppression by Authorities, because the poster believes that there is a cure for all types of cancer and it is being withheld by the government. The reasoning behind this conspiracy theory is that by withholding the cure, the pharmaceutical companies are able to make billions selling treatments instead. There is more money to be made by treating a disease over many years than by selling a one time cure. The author of this reddit post believes that in addition to withholding the cure for cancer for profits, it is also being suppressed as a means of solving over population. When we consider the steps to critical thinking, we can see that there is no basis behind this claim. There is no proof behind this claim whatsoever. It is simply an opinion- skepticism should always be applied when considering any claims or opinons. The reddit author does not have any authority regarding the matter, although this is a very popular conspiracy theory that is believed by many. ]]> 2023-10-06 17:14:01 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735913800 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735943405 Definition: Correlation and Causation is an event in which two events appear to be closely linked because they both exhibit a similar pattern. It is a fallacy where someone believes that event 1 is influenced or caused by event 2, even though the correlation is a coincidence and the events may be completely unrelated. It is often used in pseudoscience to be used as proof to back up a claim.

Connection:
The object I chose for this post is an article I found on science.howstuffworks.com. This article gives many real life examples of correlation being confused for causation. One of the examples in the article is that eating breakfast will help with weight loss. There were two studies that showed that regularly eating breakfast was correlated with weight loss, but there was no proof that eating breakfast was the cause of the weight loss. The studies did not take other factors into account that may explain the causation. The red flag Confusion of Correlation and Causation is something to look out for when faced with a claim. There are many weight loss supplements that have not been FDA approved yet claim to cause weight loss. However if you read the directions on the bottle, it will state that the supplement is to be used in addition to exercise and eating healthy. Any weight loss results from this supplement can be attributed to the exercise and healthy eating, it is unlikely that the supplement actually had any effect. 

]]> 2023-10-06 17:39:05 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735943405 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735959224 Definition: Confirmation bias is a fallacy in which people tend to look for information that supports their beliefs and ignore information that does not support their beliefs.

Connection:
The object I chose for this post is an article composed of true ghost stories sourced from Reddit, my favourite website to browse. The people that posted these ghost stories truly believe that an apparition was present, which makes this a perfect example of confirmation bias. The mind can play tricks on us when we believe in something strongly. We tend to notice and remember small things that may or may not be related to our belief, and ignore rational thought in favour of the claim. It is very likely that there is a reasonable explanation behind the scenarios in the article. The apparition sightings could be debunked, but confirmation bias caused the posters to ignore any critical thinking because they truly wanted to believe.]]> 2023-10-06 17:53:31 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735959224 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735979852 Definition: Red Herring is a red flag which occurs when someone tries to defend a claim by distracting their audience with unrelated information. Scapegoating is a form of the red herring fallacy.

Connection:
The object I chose for this post is a YouTube video. It is a clip from the Simpsons which demonstrates the red flag Red Herring. In this episode, the mayor distracts an angry mob of citizens from the actual issue at hand by using illegal immigrants as a scapegoat. The illegal immigrants are a separate issue which has nothing to do with why the citizens were upset in the first place, but it effectively distracted the audience. It is important to use critical thinking and skepticism when faced with a new claim, and to question the authority of the person making the claim. What is their source for the claim, what evidence do they present? Debates in particular are a hot spot for Red Herring. Someone may argue their position by using the Red Herring fallacy to distract their opponent and audience. ]]> 2023-10-06 18:12:23 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735979852 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735991623 Definition: All Natural is a common red flag to look out for when dealing with alternative medicines. The seller of an untested supplement may claim it is safe and that it has many health benefits because it is made with all natural ingredients.

Connection:
The object I chose for this post is an article from the Federal Trade Commission. The article warns consumers about supplements and alternative medicines that are not FDA approved and regulated. There are many healthcare scams that claim to cure and treat illness with all natural supplements. The reality is that just because something is natural, it does not mean it is safe. Hemlock, sumac, and foxglove are all natural plants that occur in the wild; but are toxic if ingested. When faced with a claim that something is beneficial because it is natural, one should be skeptical. Critical thinking and evidence is especially important when it comes to anything that is meant to be consumed. It may be dangerous and have toxic side effects if there has been no studies or pharmaceutical trials performed on the drug. It is also important to consider the authority of the seller- are they known for selling reputable products? It would be safer to purchase a supplement from Walmart rather than from someone that makes their own supplements at home from 'all natural' ingredients.]]> 2023-10-06 18:23:46 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2735991623 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2736005463 Definition: Unexplained is a Reason for Belief in which we believe in something that cannot be explained.

Connection:
For this post I chose a website hosted by a company that claims to investigate hauntings. Many people believe in ghosts, spirits, apparitions and the supernatural because these concepts cannot be explained. There may not be proof that ghosts exist, but as long as there is not solid evidence that ghosts do not exist people will still believe. This reason for belief ties into confirmation bias. Those that believe in ghosts will look for any event that signals that a supernatural presence is in the room. They may cause themselves to believe that unrelated events are a sign of ghosts, and ignore any proof that disproves their beliefs. Another example of the unexplained is the belief of an afterlife. Nobody knows if there is an afterlife, because we cannot communicate after we die. Nobody alive knows what will happen after death, so many of us have our own ideas as to what will happen to us after we pass away. It is especially important to be skeptical of the unexplained as there is no evidence to back up these claims, and nobody has the authority to make these claims.]]> 2023-10-06 18:37:30 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2736005463 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2736012350 Definition: People are more likely to believe a claim if they have an emotional connection.

Connection:
The object I chose for this post is a video from YouTube. Matt Fraser is a self claimed psychic who claims that there is an afterlife not only for humans, but for pets as well. Pets are family and we have deep emotional ties to our pets, so when they pass away it is very difficult to cope with that loss. Believing in an afterlife is a tool for many to assist in the grieving process. Those that believe in the afterlife truly want to believe in it. Rational thought and critical thinking are obscured when emotional connection is added to the equation. Those that believe in this claim do not question it, because skepticism and disproving this claim would be too painful.]]> 2023-10-06 18:44:48 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2736012350 hannahmaschke2 https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2736027430 Definition: Perception and observation is a reason for belief that states that we cannot always rely on our memory as concrete proof of a claim.

Connection:
For this post I chose an article from the Canadian Broadcasting Company. The article is about a man whose father claims to have had a run in with aliens and sustained burns caused by the UFO. The human mind is powerful, and not yet fully understood. During a traumatic event, our minds can obscure memories, repress memories, and even change memories over time. Our minds often interpret stimuli differently than how it actually appears. An example of this would be our blind spot, the spot in the back of the retina where the optic nerve is connected. All humans have a blind spot, and the brain fills in the blanks with what it believes should be there. There is no way to know what actually happened that night in Falcon Lake. What we do know is that this man was traumatized and faced horrific injuries. His claim should not be accepted at face value. We should be skeptical as memories are not reputable or sufficient evidence.  If we cannot trust our own perception, how can we trust the perception of an injured man who endured trauma? Critical thinking needs to be introduced when considering a claim as bizarre as this. His claim was questionable when the event occurred over 50 years ago, memories deteriorate over time. In addition, the claim is presented by his son- it is not even a first hand anecdote. Anecdotes are also not sufficient evidence. Unless the claim is proven with evidence, it is simply a claim.]]> 2023-10-06 19:02:18 UTC https://padlet.com/hannahmaschke2/jd1ufj3gv63a72w7/wish/2736027430