Why do humans see patterns in random information? For instance, we see constellations in jumbles of stars, and we think that we can fix Nintendo games by blowing dust off of them. The video below from the It’s Okay to be Smart channel why. If you are interested in the psychology of your brain and… Continue reading Why Did We Blow On Nintendo Games?
Category: Information Literacy
Problems with Health Care News Coverage
Here’s a great lesson in information literacy relating to the ways that health research is reported in the news media. This originates with a study in the Journal of American Medical Association, A Guide to Reading Health Care News Stories by Gary Schwitzer. Here’s some notes from it highlighting reporting problems (and an On the… Continue reading Problems with Health Care News Coverage
One Study Proves Nothing
This short video is a mini-lesson in information literacy. This is a 4 minute lesson on understanding scientific studies. Remember, one study does not definitively prove anything. In order to have a strong understanding of a subject, we need multiple studies showing one or more results. When the news media reports a finding, they often… Continue reading One Study Proves Nothing
Anti-Vaccine Parents Cause Measles Outbreak
I wanted to share this video from the NewsHour. We will be hosting a panel discussion about vaccines on Tuesday, April 29th, 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m., Library Lounge. Measles outbreak sparks fear of resurgent diseases Description from the NewsHour: “Recent outbreaks of measles on both the East and West Coasts highlight a larger story… Continue reading Anti-Vaccine Parents Cause Measles Outbreak
Are We a Nation of Medical Conspiracy Nuts?
Evidently, the answer is yes. I came across this Salon article that talks about a new study of medical conspiracies (see We’re a nation of medical conspiracy nuts by Mary Elizabeth Williams). The study found that 49% of Americans believed in one medical conspiracy, and 18% believed in three or more. These are the top… Continue reading Are We a Nation of Medical Conspiracy Nuts?
The Year of Debunking!
BuzzFeed’s Charlie Warzel has declaried 2014 as the year of the “Viral Debunk” (see his article, 2014 Is The Year Of The Viral Debunk (The “Hoax Economy” gives way to a new breed of fact checking)). He has declared (and we agree) that it is time to end the silly, crazy, and untrue hoaxes regularly… Continue reading The Year of Debunking!