At left is a meme supporting the mode of thinking employed by conspiracy theorists, i.e., that they, unlike the rest of us, “have the cognitive capacity to think critically for themselves.”
In fact, the reason that reasonable people trust science is that we’re aware that we lack the time and resources to conduct this research ourselves: formulating hypotheses, experiment design and execution, analysis of results, drawing conclusions, publishing findings, and having them peer reviewed.
Shortly after I entered the field of climate science, some well-meaning guy suggested that I come to my own independent conclusions on the subject. I respectfully pointed out that there are tens of thousands of people who have made it their lifework to study this subject, and they have, in most cases, some serious headstarts over me, including several decades of work, uncountable terabytes of data, and billions of dollars of surveillance equipment on and above the Earth.
I’m equally unqualified to “do my own research” in disease control, anthropology, and quantum physics.
If a few crackpots think this renders me intellectually deficient or gullible, I’ll have to learn to live with that.
We’ve all heard ideas like the one being expressed here, though this one sounds extreme. Jail sentence? Education is exclusively an exercise in pounding in bad habits?
What’s the outcome for students in the very worst of our schools that make no attempt whatsoever to help its pupils learn to think critically? Well, their kids learn to:
- Read and write
- Do math, at least through algebra
- Understand some level of history and geography
- Make friends and get along with others
- Establish independence from the parents
- Gain the qualifications for employment
What’s the alternative? Illiteracy? Social isolation? Child labor? Poverty? Neurotic sloth? Being a burden on society?
Is it a coincidence that the countries with the best educated children are the happiest, sanest and most productive nations on the planet?
If you’re a competent woman working at the highest echelon in the U.S. government, better start packing your bags.
Today we had another “assassination attempt.”
Is it the fourth or the fifth? I lost track after his ear grew back.
Eventually, after perhaps 20 or 30, even the most dimwitted American will recognize that he’s been played.
Trump is a man of God like I’m a bald eagle.
How Much Further Does the Trust of the American People Extend?
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