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POPSHow to Talk to a Global Warming Skeptic (FAQ) More common questions and myths answered at the source, thoroughly cross-referenced and conveniently categorized and sub-categorized by type of argument: Stages of Denial Scientific Topics Types of Argument Levels of Sophistication A nice reference that's updated with fresh comments. Many "skeptics" often are unaware (by choice or by circumstance) that their common questions have already been addressed by scientists long ago.
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POPSRepetition Makes False Beliefs Permanent Politicians and other unscrupulous types have long exploited what psychological studies are now confirming: due to the neurophysiology of the learning process, simple repetitive association between two concepts is enough to make false propositions "feel" true and well-supported. Worse, after enough exposure to such associations, subsequent denials can strengthen the perception of the falsehood instead of weakening it. (This is a major reason why the stigma of a false accusation can persist even after innocence is proven.) Indeed, repetition seems to be a key culprit. Things that are repeated often become more accessible in memory, and one of the brain's subconscious rules of thumb is that easily recalled things are true.
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POPSWhy you never see a baby pigeon It seems that the babies don't leave the nest until they look very similar to adult pigeons. We probably do see babies, but we can't recognize them.
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POPSsome comments i just had to clip... These words by {{pokkets}} are going to be printed on a big sign and hung in our office... no joke! very uplifting {{pokkets}}! The entire comment is awesome...i just clipped a piece.
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POPSGirls Make History At Science Contest More: Dr. Hopkins helped start a national discussion about girls and science two years ago when she walked out of a talk by Harvard University’s president, Lawrence H. Summers, after he suggested that innate differences between men and women might be one reason that fewer women than men succeed in math and science careers. Dr. Summers apologized during the ensuing furor; he announced his resignation as Harvard’s president 13 months later James Whaley, president of the Siemens Foundation, which oversees the competition for Siemens AG, a global electronics and engineering company, said the competition results send a great message to young women Alicia Darnell, 17, a senior at Pelham Memorial High School in Pelham, N.Y., won second place and a $50,000 scholarship in the individual category for research that identified genetic defects that could play a role in the development of Lou Gehrig’s disease Pretty good for 16 and 17 year olds don't ya think?
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POPSMaps of the Imaginary The worlds of many literary works have been subject to similar changes in perception. There is a whole genre of literary maps dedicated to tracing the real-world settings of fictional events, or the location of events once thought to have been real but now recognized as fiction. Do these maps count?
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POPSWhich one is the real thing-Water,or Coke There is a bigger list of the points in favor of each on the page, but I thought some of the water ones involving dehydration, and thirst were important. For more testing on the actual behavior of coke, The TV show MythBusters, investigated coke myths, some were true others not so true. I have done a clip on them 'MythBusters central.' I thought they deserved their own clip.
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POPS10 Common Myths about Mental Illness 8. Children can’t have serious mental disorders. 9. Doctor/patient confidentiality is absolute and always protected. 10. Mental illness is no longer stigmatized in society.
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POPSTen Myths of Forgiveness 8. If we forgive, we are being disloyal to those the offending party hurt. 9. We forgive only on the basis of certain conditions such as getting an apology. Forgiveness is unconditional or it is not forgiveness. If we make out forgiveness conditional on what the other party does, such as apologizing or promising new behavior, we have made the perpetrator the decision maker in our process of forgiving. Ironically, this kind of thinking turns our lives over to the very person who has hurt us. 10. Forgiveness isn’t valid unless it is accepted by the other party. This myth is reinforced by the common phrase, “to offer our forgiveness,” as if it has to be accepted to be valid. Forgiveness is not offered, it is granted. It is our gift to ourselves.
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POPSEvolution:24 myths and misconceptions It doesn't matter if people do not understand evolution "Survival of the fittest" justifies "everyone for themselves" Evolution is limitlessly creative Evolution cannot explain traits such as homosexuality Creationism provides a coherent alternative to evolution Creationist myths: Evolution must be wrong because the Bible is inerrant Accepting evolution undermines morality Evolutionary theory leads to racism and genocide Religion and evolution are incompatible Half a wing is no use to anyone Evolutionary science is not predictive Evolution cannot be disproved so is not science Evolution is just so unlikely to produce complex life forms Evolution is an entirely random process Mutations can only destroy information, not create it Darwin is the ultimate authority on evolution The bacterial flagellum is irreducibly complex Yet more creationist misconceptions Evolution violates the second law of thermodynamics
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POPSCreationism, the New Virus of Education Look for new lies from Creationism/ID as it adapts to criticism and unveiling of its distortions and frauds. Make no mistake, these people at the Discovery Institute are ruthless in their quest to insinuate religion into the curriculum. They will use any method to accomplish this goal. These are not simply people gathered together to "give another perspective". They are organized to force their agenda to teach religious myths to our children. The last sentence of the clip is chilling considering High Priest Bush has used the same language. No one considers Bush to be versed in science, given his record. The dangerous part is that he does hold the power to cause real harm to education and that is a problem that will last long past his failed administration.
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POPSSinglism and Matrimania I've noticed this, but wasn't aware there was a name to it.....interesting article; the author points out a few instances too
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POPSGladiator Truths Counter Movie Myths "Since gladiators were fairly expensive to maintain and train, economically it doesn't make much sense for them to have been killed off intentionally on a regular basis."
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POPSNo use in homework Definitely what I've always believed- I've only believed in assigning home reading , optional spelling practice, reviewing for tests, and finishing projects that they had some class time to do as well. If a student has been away, or is going on vacation, catch up work is a good idea, otherwise piles of worksheets with no reason makes no sense whatsoever.
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POPSEvolution: 24 myths and misconceptions So here is New Scientist's guide to some of the most common myths and misconceptions about evolution.Everything is an adaptation produced by natural selection Natural selection is the only means of evolution Natural selection leads to ever-greater complexity Evolution produces creatures perfectly adapted to their environment Evolution always promotes the survival of species It doesn't matter if people do not understand evolution "Survival of the fittest" justifies "everyone for themselves" Evolution is limitlessly creative Evolution cannot explain traits such as homosexuality Creationism provides a coherent alternative to evolution
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