Bulls**t: Its Detection And Handling

Ever since I don't remember when, I've been thinking about critical thinking and logic. It's something that's been even more on my mind since Ben was born. Politicians and news anchors covering politics do almost nothing but spew bullsh*t. Ads are full of bullsh*t. Your average person's reactionary argument: bullsh*t. I won't even claim that I'm never guilty of this. I am grateful to have the friends that I do. A friendship is strong that survives calling each other out on bullsh*t arguments.

It all makes me wonder how Ben will learn to identify good logic. Will he learn critical thinking in school, or will our family be solely responsible for teaching him? I learned a handful of fallacies late in high school and took some logic in college. Most of what I can remember of critical thinking came from my Dad picking apart my weak arguments and my Mom criticizing propaganda. Will I be able to do as well? I'm terrified of the prospect of raising a child that trusts Fox News.

It's my responsibility to make sure Ben grows up knowing what is important to me. That said, I wish critical thinking were more of a national priority in education. I can't shake the feeling that if critical thinking were a regular class, like english or science, the country would be in better shape. A quarter or semester a year starting in middle school. Start with the basics of logic and good reasoning and work up to critical examination of media. Imagine teens who immediatly recognize the difference between "age appropriate sex education" and "teaching abortion to kindergarteners." Think of teens who are told "indefinite preventative detention" and hear "imprisonment without charge, trial, jury or appeal." Critical thinking won't change your political affiliation, but it will help you recognize which of your leaders are bullsh*ting you to achieve their goals.

I have more to say on this, but I have movies to return.


Soundtrack(start): Splender - But, Anyway
Soundtrack(end):Portishead - Roads
Cat(start): On the back of the couch
Cat(end): ?