https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1 Justin Collier - 100345263 en-us 2023-02-10 20:11:28 UTC 2025-05-10 17:37:57 UTC hello@padlet.com justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476906243 Made by Justin Collier (working individually)]]> 2023-02-10 20:13:47 UTC https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476906243 justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476925530 Definition: The red flag of 'proof by verbosity' involves using complex phrasing and long-drawn-out arguments in an attempt to intimidate listeners into believing your ideas regardless of if they are right or wrong scientifically.

Connection: While this video actually contains multiple red flags, it most notably demonstrates proof by verbosity multiple times. Most of the people interviewed in the video boldly state their claim of the Earth being flat and structure their points in a manner that makes them sound like they should be common sense to those listening. When all of the fluff and filler are removed however you are left without any real points being made and a sheer abundance of the scientific method being applied and demonstrated in their arguments. They ironically mention themselves as 'skeptics' in the video, but don't demonstrate any sense of critical thinking or skepticism within their own theories and are very dismissive towards the commonly accepted fact of our Earth being round, with one man just brushing it off and saying: 'this ain't it" while holding up a round globe.]]> 2023-02-10 20:36:00 UTC https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476925530 justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476935358 Definition: Confirmation Bias is the tendency to only recall or bring forth evidence that backs up your personal claims while excluding any that bring with them skepticism or valid counter-arguments to your claim.

Connection: This article and the video embedded within cover former US president Donald Trump's take on exercise and how it is a misguided practice that drains a person of the finite energy they were born with. In the video portion of the article, he mentions that he regularly eats fast food and doesn't work out often yet his doctors informed him that his regular tests only showed "positive results." The narrator is quick to state right after that in medicine 'positive results' are not always a good thing which I believed was an interesting use of the confirmation bias as he is using a word that typically has a beneficial connotation to it to defend his argument while leaving out the context behind it that would paint the full picture. I think this connects well to the Pseudoscience Watchlist Connection: 'Results cannot be reproduced or verified' as there is both no scientific method and the way he words his claims ensures that they cannot be accurately measured]]> 2023-02-10 20:49:21 UTC https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476935358 justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476949218 Definition: The use of a celebrity or other focal point to impress or distract from the reality of a product, service, etc.

Connection: While I can't personally vouch much for the quality or performance of Dr. Dre's Beats headphones vs those of its competitors I believe that the company has relied heavily on his personal image as a method of using the red flag of 'Appeal to Authority' to market and promote the product over its actual technical feats. By centering the product name and its initial advertisements around the rapper/producer that founded the company it creates a situation where you begin to care more about celebrity label that comes attached to the product vs the actual performance and quality you are paying for. I believe for this reason that it connects to the Pseudoscience Watchlist Connection: 'often appeals to emotion.' ]]> 2023-02-10 21:08:09 UTC https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476949218 justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476965124 Definition: the red flag of Ancient Wisdom involves using dated techniques and practices in modern times solely because it is knowledge that has been passed down over many years and not because it is actually effective or scientifically proven.

Connection: This article takes a skeptical look at another article defending Traditional Chinese Medicine and applies critical thinking to a lot of the points made in the original article that use the red flag appeal of ancient wisdom to state that because some common practices are over 1000 years old they must have merit behind them. I believe this connects well to the Pseudoscience Watchlist Connection: 'does not progress' as the practices commonly have no changes since inception. It's also interesting to note that the allure of ancient wisdom is tightly tied to one culture as is common with Traditional Chinese Medicine it can be hard to take a skeptical approach to such practices, especially if they have been passed down and ingrained by parents or grandparents who vouch for its effectiveness without any real evidence to support said claims. While most practices in TCM are not very dangerous to one's health as opposed to some other treatments that appeal to this red flag it is important to always maintain a skeptical outlook on these things so people always receive the best treatments and information when needed and aren't being mistreated for serious ailments.]]> 2023-02-10 21:32:23 UTC https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476965124 justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476971856 Definition: The red flag of something being 'All Natural' involves relying on a product's natural origins instead of the actual benefits or proven effects it may provide.

Connection: This article covers the more recent trend of using charcoal hygiene products, more specifically charcoal toothpaste, to whiten one's teeth in a natural and healthy way. The article goes on to mention how charcoal is a very effective and natural purifying agent that has many uses in modern medicine but however does not have any proven use for the whitening of one's teeth. Charcoal toothpaste is typically advised as being a natural alternative to traditional toothpaste with its harsh chemicals, but an interview with a dental professional within the article states that by skipping out on traditional toothpaste you are missing out on the recommended doses of fluoride that your teeth need to stay strong and protected from plaque and cavities. The lack of skepticism toward this trend has given Charcoal toothpaste and other similar products a lot of momentum on social media platforms and has likely caused a number of dental-health-related deficiencies in those who were swept away by the grand claims of teeth whitening magic.]]> 2023-02-10 21:44:05 UTC https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476971856 justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476981048 Definition: Sometimes our modern tools and technology cannot currently provide an explanation or reason behind a phenomenon and it is deemed to be 'unexplained' giving rise to those who seek belief in such a phenomenon due to its mystical nature.

Connection: The placebo effect is a phenomenon that involves someone's medical symptoms being lessened or cured through the power of suggestion. This typically involves a flavorless sugar pill that is passed off by a medical authority figure as a treatment for one's illness. A Pseudoscience watchlist connection would be: 'convinces by faith and belief' as there is no real scientific explanation or evidence as to why one's symptoms are being eased through this form of treatment.]]> 2023-02-10 22:00:43 UTC https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476981048 justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476988908 Definition: Our brains have evolved to see and handle patterns through our various senses and through this it is easy for us to give meaning and form to things that aren't truly present.

Connection: An interesting statement in this article was how a form of patternicity was Paranormalists hearing the voices of the dead speaking to them through radio receivers when investigating cases of the paranormal. I thought this actually tied in well with the Pseudoscience Watchlist Connection: 'often appeals to emotion' for the sole reason that in my own personal experience watching ghost hunter shows they tend to create a lot of emotional buildup and tension to these moments which makes you more vulnerable to hearing something meaningful in the jumbled and static-filled sounds their receivers pick up vs just being played an audio clip and asking if you heard anything from it.]]> 2023-02-10 22:16:43 UTC https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476988908 justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476996960 Definition: Agenticity occurs when one's beliefs and ideals are given meaning through invisible entities such as gods or spirits with no physical proof or form.

Connection: Mediumship is a psychic practice in which it is believed that the medium can take on foreign energy or spirits into oneself to understand past, present, or even future events. This could be simplified into the pop-culture definition we have of 'spiritual possession' and relates to agenticity through a foreign and invisible entity giving meaning to the mediums' claims and revelations. This connects to the Pseudoscience Watchlist through: 'convinces by faith and belief (in spite of evidence)' as it relies solely on spiritual beings being present to support its claims.]]> 2023-02-10 22:34:54 UTC https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2476996960 justincollier2 https://padlet.com/justincollier2/assignment1/wish/2477008123 I chose to evaluate my post #2 which covers the video: 'Inside a Flat Earth convention, where nearly everyone believes Earth isn't round'

Define the Problem: Is the Earth really flat?

Gather Information: The video follows an interviewer going around a 'Flat Earth Convention' asking attendees their thoughts and opinions on the matter of the Earth being flat as they argue phenomena that would prove otherwise cannot be properly observed.

Evaluate Evidence: The subjects interviewed do not bring forth any concrete evidence in favor of a flat Earth theory and instead commit to discrediting the most common evidence surrounding a round earth. Their counterarguments ignore the physical evidence behind these points such as satellite imagery and tidal patterns, to instead form a counter argument through verbosity alone stating these are not reputable evidence.

Recognize Assumptions, Emotions, and Biases: I think the most important thing to note is that this video takes place in a flat-earth convention where it is highly likely that everyone in attendance has a strong bias towards the flat-earth theory that the event is promoting. This bias can be enough to skew opinion-based data and cause people to have more emotion-driven results than to adopt skepticism and critical thinking when faced with opposing opinions.

Synthesize Evidence, Identify Alternatives:
Alternative #1: The earth is flat, as supported by former historical maps and records and distrust towards the evidence proposing a round earth

Alternative #2: The Earth is round as supported by satellite imagery, devices, debris currently in our orbit, tidal patterns, and gravitational forces along with various studies that follow the scientific method and process.

Select the Best Alternative:
I conclude that the Earth is round.

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