Book Review - Bullspotting: Finding Facts in the Age of Misinformation by Loren Collins
Category Book Review Loren Collins Bullspotting: Finding Facts in the Age of Misinformation
Bullspotting: Finding Facts in the Age of Misinformation by Loren Collins is one of those books you'd like to force everyone to read before they post anything online or express their "beliefs". Collins does an excellent job in categorizing the different types of misinformation you often encounter when people are trying to convince you that their "alternative" views are legitimate. Once you understand how people support those opinions, you can effectively counter the arguments. Of course, it doesn't mean they'll actually change, though... :)
Contents:
Introduction; Baloney Detection; Denialism; Conspiracy Theories; Rumors; Quotations; Hoaxes; Pseudoscience; Pseudohistory; Pseudolaw; What's The Harm; Notes, Index
Collins uses real-life examples in all the chapters to illustrate his points. For example, denialism is covered with the use of the young earth theory, JFK's assassination by a single person, the moon landing, Shakespeare's authorship, and the Holocaust. Each chapter covers how to spot that type of "logic", as well as the arguments that you'll encounter when you try to point out the fallacies. I found that breaking out the different types helped my understanding, as it broke down the feeling of being overwhelmed by the stupidity that is out there.
It's sad that the people who need this information the most will be the ones least likely to read Bullspotting, but one can hope. For everyone else, this is a very good read.
Disclosure:
Obtained From: Library
Payment: Borrowed
Bullspotting: Finding Facts in the Age of Misinformation by Loren Collins is one of those books you'd like to force everyone to read before they post anything online or express their "beliefs". Collins does an excellent job in categorizing the different types of misinformation you often encounter when people are trying to convince you that their "alternative" views are legitimate. Once you understand how people support those opinions, you can effectively counter the arguments. Of course, it doesn't mean they'll actually change, though... :)
Contents:
Introduction; Baloney Detection; Denialism; Conspiracy Theories; Rumors; Quotations; Hoaxes; Pseudoscience; Pseudohistory; Pseudolaw; What's The Harm; Notes, Index
Collins uses real-life examples in all the chapters to illustrate his points. For example, denialism is covered with the use of the young earth theory, JFK's assassination by a single person, the moon landing, Shakespeare's authorship, and the Holocaust. Each chapter covers how to spot that type of "logic", as well as the arguments that you'll encounter when you try to point out the fallacies. I found that breaking out the different types helped my understanding, as it broke down the feeling of being overwhelmed by the stupidity that is out there.
It's sad that the people who need this information the most will be the ones least likely to read Bullspotting, but one can hope. For everyone else, this is a very good read.
Disclosure:
Obtained From: Library
Payment: Borrowed
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