February 26, 2012

Critical Thinking Videos and Book

by Mal Vickers

Wasn’t it Paul Keating who used phrases like “the honourable members opposite squeal like stuck pigs”? Whilst the use of ad hominem attacks (name calling) and other logical fallacies abound in politics, has anyone noticed that the Federal Government this year has actually funded a project to help Australians become better critical thinkers?

On the 18th of January 2012 Professor Ian Chubb, Australia’s chief scientist, announced a competition.

“Australians of all ages are invited to create 3-5 minute videos presenting an argument on one of four topics”, Professor Chubb said. Details here. The competition ends on the 1st of May 2012.

Whilst those topics may not be of interest, ahead of the competition a production company called Bridge8 was funded by a government program called TechNyou to produced some primer videos about critical thinking to help inspire the competition.

Bridge8 have done an excellent job. I’m presenting all six videos for your enjoyment below.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/iSZ3BUru59A]

More videos after the fold.

View More Critical Thinking Videos and Book

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February 4, 2012

“But it worked for me” – really?

By Mal Vickers

I’m writing this post because I’m just a tad annoyed. The issue is the over use of the phrase “but it worked for me” (BIW4M). Is anyone else getting tired of that one, too?

Inevitably, I find the phrase crops up in discussion I’ve had with those in favour of a particular alternative medicine such as homeopathy, crystal healing, acupuncture, iridology or chiropractic.  BIW4M is used as the clinching argument.

It’s not driving me nuts, it’s just annoying.  (I’m using ‘BIW4M’ because typing it in full over and over is just going to get me more annoyed.)

If the idea is for skeptics and believers in alternative medicine to come to some kind of understanding, does the phrase help? If I try to argue against BIW4M, it’s seen as a personal attack on the integrity of the person that says it. At least in a blog post I can discuss BIW4M without being  seen to be making such personal accusations, although you’re free to add your slings and arrows in comments below this post.

The Control (as opposed to KAOS)

One of the most powerful and basic ideas in science is that of the use of a control. For example, if I wish to test if water is needed to keep a potted tomato plant alive in a hot house, I could do the following; keep two potted plants in the hot house, one of which I water and one I don’t. The one not watered is the control. I think the likely outcome View More “But it worked for me” – really?

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January 31, 2012

Mixed Bag February 2012 Answers

1. a. Kelsey Grammer / Cheers (note: the question says which show INTRODUCED the character. “Frasier” is a spin-off from Cheers, in which the character was a regular)

b. Bill Cosby / The Bill Cosby Show

c. Alan Alda / M*A*S*H

 

2. a. 9 Innings in a Baseball Game

b. 40 Thieves of Ali Baba

c. 90 Degrees in a Right Angle

d. 18 Holes on a  Golf Course

e. 3 Sides on a Triangle

 

3. Maroubra, Sydney

 

4. Safety Dance

 

5. Geoff Hunt

 

6. Bolivia

 

7. Nelson

 

8. Chicago

 

9. 1994

 

10. Casca

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January 20, 2012

Darwin Day Barbecue 2012

You are invited to join us in celebrating  Charles Darwin’s birthday with a Barbeque on Sunday, 12th February 2012  from about noon till ??? on the banks of the Yarra at Alexandra Avenue Melbourne.

Melways, 2G D11 Just west from the Morell Bridge and Anderson Street. Next to the Botanic Gardens.

All Welcome

Free BBQ facilities available

BYO food and drinks.

Since the early 1990s, Darwin Day has been celebrated around the world including in Melbourne. Every year we’ve said  “this year’s celebrations will be the biggest party so far”, and we’ve been pretty much right. Come along and enjoy a summer BBQ by the Yarra.

TEACHERS: for our suite of Darwin Day Classroom Exercises, go here: http://skeptics.cafe/for-sale/stuff-for-teachers-education-resources/darwin-day-february-12-classroom-suite-of-exercises/

For a brief article about Charles Darwin, go here: http://skeptics.cafe/2007/11/27/about-charles-darwin/

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January 8, 2012

2011 Psychic Predictions … Revisited

Early in 2011 we examined the Psychic predictions of Mr. John Gold, one of Australia’s most respected psychics.

Mr Gold was notable for making some quite specific predictions for the year ahead, which would have been sensational had they panned out.

Usually psychics will throw out a bunch of generic and non-specific “predictions” which can easily be retrofitted to reality later … but not Mr Gold. He went out on a series of impressive limbs with specific events and specific times.

If even half of those predictions had come true, we might have had a serious contender for the Australian Skeptics’ $100,000 challenge.

We are now one year down the track, and it’s definitely worth our time to  examine the predictions and see how Mr. Gold did.

Results below the fold.

View More 2011 Psychic Predictions … Revisited

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