Thinking Clearly

Flying solo on this episode, Bob discusses three perspectives on how our brains work and then, with the help of prerecorded audio clips, surveys the current state of our information pollution, considers some possible scenarios about our information future, including a possible "infocalypse" created by so-called "deep fakes", and gives ideas and resources for what can be done to clean up the information pollution and restore trust in our abilities to seek the truth of the matter.

There is no end in sight to the amount of misinformation and disinformation that we are currently being exposed to. With a contentious US presidential election and the seasonal spike in COVID-19 pandemic cases, that pollution is on the rise, and information that used to be politically neutral is now being politicized and weaponized. These and other topics, including the Pro-Truth Pledge movement, are discussed with guest, Tim Ward, co- author of the book: Pro Truth: a Practical Plan for Putting Truth Back into Politics.

In this episode, Bob and Julia demonstrate a unique information vetting process using as an example, a prevalent internet meme about the Black Lives Matter movement. The vetting process begins with introspection in regard to one's motivation, biases, and goals, as relating to the information being vetted, and then proceeds by analyzing the authenticity, source, claims and logical arguments put forth in the information.

A process of civil dialogue and intellectual empathy is used by hosts Bob Froehlich and Julia Minton and their guest, Pastor Dave Seaford, to share each of their perspectives on the "Nature of Truth." Dr. Dave Seaford is the pastor at the First Baptist Church in Redway, California and is also Professor of Apologetics, Reason and Theology at Veritas Bible Institute.

In this episode Bob and Julia discuss the polluted state of our information environment in this complex, technical, culturally shifting world we're living in. They then outline a step by step method for vetting our information, in order to help us tentatively decide its truth value and to help decide what to do with the information. This is the first of a three-part series on Thinking Clearly called: "Seeking the Truth of the Matter."

As the US Presidential Election approaches, a swarm of issues are being politicized—exposing us to communication from downright propaganda pieces and disinformation to reasoned balanced arguments—making this a great time to start practicing critical thinking. The timing also makes long-time critical thinking educator, Jonathan Haber, author of Critical Voter and Critical Thinking, the perfect guest for this episode of Thinking Clearly.

Bob and Julia talk strategies for recognizing and combating misinformation with psychologist and cartoonist Dr. John Cook from George Mason University. Dr Cook, a specialist in countering science denial, discusses various methods of inoculation against misinformation and the uses of cartoons, humor, and educational games to counter misinformation and build public resilience against it.

Hosts Bob and Julia discuss a variety of topics with Anthony Weston, including: the most important aspects of teaching critical thinking and those most difficult for students to master; why it's important, at this time in our culture, to learn and practice critical thinking skills; the prevalence of values-based aspects in issues we encounter in our information environment; and what led to Weston's passion for and vision to develop the agrarian, intentional community, Hart's Mill Ecovillage.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has made critical thinking and reducing the misinformation and disinformation in our information environment more important than ever. In addition to hosts Bob and Julia discussing the issue, this episode features a prerecorded interview that Bob did with Professor Amanda Hughes from Brigham Young University, an expert on the functioning of social media during disasters and crises.

This episode features a discussion with guest, Baba Brinkman. Baba is a Canadian rapper and playwright, now based in New York, especially known for recordings and performances that combine hip hop music with literature, theatre, and science. Topics discussed include: rap and hip hop as effective means for promoting science and critical thinking, science-based evidence and critical thinking in times of crisis and some of the issues around critical thinking and the current COVID-19 pandemic.