Glad to see this topic coming up because it is a serious roadblock. Disinformation is one thing. But as a former newspaper reporter, editor and a broadcaster, sloppy mainstream news feeds the internet alternatives of disinformation. I view this as a serious impediment to the dissemination of truth.
I believe this is more than overdue. I can't believe the stuff that people believe on Facebook and the hate and anger that is being spread over lies. So, so many truly believe that we don't have a far right movement in this country. We need education and we need it fast.
And do you have any facts to support that comment. Beliefs are great but we need facts. I have not seen that yet. Certainly not from the Liberals. Our far left is the NDP and they are far from far left. So, what are the facts. And trust me, if there is a far left movement, I would be on top of that as much as I am on the far right. Everyone should know that extremists are the worst thing. That is where countries die.
Thank you so much for this, Pledge for Canada. As a researcher and scholar who addressed critical thinking as a subject, and as applicable in university and school curricula, I am very pleased to read this entry today, including the leads you provide for further enquiry. Keep up your excellent work - this is the Best Yet Pledge for Canada entry.
If you mean by "the real world" the times people spend at their jobs and with their children and other family members, there are likely not programs to encourage critical thinking. One hopes that if students in education contexts learn the basics of critical thinking, their learnings will stay with them (hopefully for the rest of their lives!). As for job sites, I imagine some employers encourage fact-checking before actions are taken. Supervisors at job sites can set good examples too by incorporating critical thinking into their supervision of workers. Think of news rooms, construction sites, science labs, healthcare facilities and so on. I'd be interested to hear from you with your thoughts and recommendations.
We also have to get over our fear of regulating digital platforms (consistent with freedom of expression) and also get over our dependency on privately owned platforms.
no system works perfectly but putting public and private broadcasters in the same list makes me think we are talking at cross purposes. But as I said check in on Friday - and with all its imperfections I’d take cbc radio Canada over its private competitors and I’d work to make it better rather than dismantle.
Canada is in better need of education period! However, the best education system in the world will come to naught if we can't get people to view education as a life long journey. Not just formal education but going to the local library and reading magazines and books etc.
At the vet's office this morning, I parked next to a car with "F*** Carney" bumper stickers. It seems a bit early in Carney's mandate for that type of condemnation. What can be done?
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This topic is so important. The research you have done with sources and links provided is so valuable. As a former educator professionally, and a lover of integrity personally, I have been in despair for many years but especially in the last year, that Truth has "left the building" in our society.
Nowhere is this more evident than in politics. And nowhere is this more proliferated than of course on social media, but most egregiously, with "news" media.
It has been my experience that when I dare to challenge the disinformation or attempt to correct the lies, I receive a barrage of hate and a challenge to my authority, even when I give my references and cite sources, often with links.
That being said, although there are days when I give up because I am so sick of the "talking heads" and the experts on subjects they truly know very little about but spout off their opinions as if fact, I will keep the faith. I hope, like Charlie Angus says, that by doing this personal truth-telling crusade, I'll keep kicking at the darkness till it bleeds daylight. ❤️🇨🇦
There is a book that is helpful for children: Can You Believe It?: How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts, by Joyce Grant. Full disclosure: I haven't read it but I know the author and how hard she worked to research and write this book.
Thanks very much, Trish. Have had a gander at the overview online and some of the critic reviews and it looks very promising for parents to consider working through with their kids. That said, would need to get it and read it before knowing whether to firmly recommend.
A great example is the media using numbers from terrorist organizations and spouting them as fact with no counter statement or context. Our own government then repeats these lies and the reality gets farther and farther from the truth. (i.e. Hamas propaganda.) Big media needs to be held accountable and people need to learn what a source is. (i.e. a source is not a Tik Tok video)
Facts are important but we have to come to terms with the problem that many people such as cultists and conspiracy theorists don't give a damn about facts. Sadly, these people are driven solely by their crackpot beliefs and refuse to be swayed.
This is also very important for teachers to discuss and share with their students. It's also another reason we need to ensure that the CBC is supported and will continue to do the awesome job it's doing. I imagine though that the government website would not be trusted by the right wing neo liberals. How can we infiltrate their "news" sources? Bring back the house hippos!
I wouldn't trust Snopes, (gave up on them when they said Mr. Ed was acted by a zebra).
Years ago the Marine Museum in Vancouver had a piracy exhibit which was all built around the Snopes assertion that "Sing a Song of Sixpence" was Blackbeard's pirate recruiting song. Later Snopes admitted making it up to test how gullible people are.
Glad to see this topic coming up because it is a serious roadblock. Disinformation is one thing. But as a former newspaper reporter, editor and a broadcaster, sloppy mainstream news feeds the internet alternatives of disinformation. I view this as a serious impediment to the dissemination of truth.
You’re right. If the legacy media doesn’t get the disinformation sorted, we the people will do it ourselves.
Critical thinking does exist in the real world regardless of what the pundits tell us.
I believe this is more than overdue. I can't believe the stuff that people believe on Facebook and the hate and anger that is being spread over lies. So, so many truly believe that we don't have a far right movement in this country. We need education and we need it fast.
We definitely have a far left movement. Some believe a radical left movement exists in the weeds.
And do you have any facts to support that comment. Beliefs are great but we need facts. I have not seen that yet. Certainly not from the Liberals. Our far left is the NDP and they are far from far left. So, what are the facts. And trust me, if there is a far left movement, I would be on top of that as much as I am on the far right. Everyone should know that extremists are the worst thing. That is where countries die.
Thank you so much for this, Pledge for Canada. As a researcher and scholar who addressed critical thinking as a subject, and as applicable in university and school curricula, I am very pleased to read this entry today, including the leads you provide for further enquiry. Keep up your excellent work - this is the Best Yet Pledge for Canada entry.
Does critical thinking exist in the real world of jobs, relationships, child rearing and self improvement?
Curriculum and research are only as good as the applications by the individuals.
If you mean by "the real world" the times people spend at their jobs and with their children and other family members, there are likely not programs to encourage critical thinking. One hopes that if students in education contexts learn the basics of critical thinking, their learnings will stay with them (hopefully for the rest of their lives!). As for job sites, I imagine some employers encourage fact-checking before actions are taken. Supervisors at job sites can set good examples too by incorporating critical thinking into their supervision of workers. Think of news rooms, construction sites, science labs, healthcare facilities and so on. I'd be interested to hear from you with your thoughts and recommendations.
Critical thinking happens continuously. Formalizing it makes for research grants.
Enough of the “if only” thinking.
And in many situations, critical thinking isn't present at all! Lots of room here for growth.
Think we’re talking about diversity of opinions.
Yes, we are indeed, and, as we are aware, some opinions are well thought out and based on facts and evidence, while other opinions aren't.
We also have to get over our fear of regulating digital platforms (consistent with freedom of expression) and also get over our dependency on privately owned platforms.
no system works perfectly but putting public and private broadcasters in the same list makes me think we are talking at cross purposes. But as I said check in on Friday - and with all its imperfections I’d take cbc radio Canada over its private competitors and I’d work to make it better rather than dismantle.
The publicly owned sites are not doing such a great job. That’s what driving us to expand our search for the truth.
eg?
check out Fridays post to see what’s possible in collectively owned sites - surely there’s
an imperative to free ourselves from the Musk and Zuckerberg outrage machines
Reaction to the outrages of CBC, BBC, MSNBC,CNN,AlJazera require diversity of opinions and critical thinking help to discern the truth.
Truth is never absolute but freedom from government funded media (like CBC) is a step closer.
Canada is in better need of education period! However, the best education system in the world will come to naught if we can't get people to view education as a life long journey. Not just formal education but going to the local library and reading magazines and books etc.
At the vet's office this morning, I parked next to a car with "F*** Carney" bumper stickers. It seems a bit early in Carney's mandate for that type of condemnation. What can be done?
I want to say "idiots," but that doesn't solve the problem :-(
Don’t vote for him or net-zero.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This topic is so important. The research you have done with sources and links provided is so valuable. As a former educator professionally, and a lover of integrity personally, I have been in despair for many years but especially in the last year, that Truth has "left the building" in our society.
Nowhere is this more evident than in politics. And nowhere is this more proliferated than of course on social media, but most egregiously, with "news" media.
It has been my experience that when I dare to challenge the disinformation or attempt to correct the lies, I receive a barrage of hate and a challenge to my authority, even when I give my references and cite sources, often with links.
That being said, although there are days when I give up because I am so sick of the "talking heads" and the experts on subjects they truly know very little about but spout off their opinions as if fact, I will keep the faith. I hope, like Charlie Angus says, that by doing this personal truth-telling crusade, I'll keep kicking at the darkness till it bleeds daylight. ❤️🇨🇦
The Art of Persuasion is misunderstood.
There is a book that is helpful for children: Can You Believe It?: How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts, by Joyce Grant. Full disclosure: I haven't read it but I know the author and how hard she worked to research and write this book.
Thanks very much, Trish. Have had a gander at the overview online and some of the critic reviews and it looks very promising for parents to consider working through with their kids. That said, would need to get it and read it before knowing whether to firmly recommend.
That’s the parent’s job.
A book cannot replace a parent doing their job.
Parents being involved with their children increases the likelihood of integrity.
Of course, but wouldn't it be great to have a book like this to read with your child?
Well taken point but children absorb parent’s attention and feelings before books.
This is long overdue. Thank you.
Please join Blue Sky as many people are not on X anymore. I'd like to share with my followers.Thank you.
A great example is the media using numbers from terrorist organizations and spouting them as fact with no counter statement or context. Our own government then repeats these lies and the reality gets farther and farther from the truth. (i.e. Hamas propaganda.) Big media needs to be held accountable and people need to learn what a source is. (i.e. a source is not a Tik Tok video)
Great points.
CBC treats Hamas disinformation as truth with zero facts and no corroboration.
CBC also spreads misinformation by omission. On May 25 over 56,000 people peacefully marched in support of Israel in Toronto. The mayor stayed home.
Sometimes the government does not reflect the views of the people. CBC remains silent.
Public legacy media is not necessarily without disinformation.
Ministry of Truth awaits.
Facts are important but we have to come to terms with the problem that many people such as cultists and conspiracy theorists don't give a damn about facts. Sadly, these people are driven solely by their crackpot beliefs and refuse to be swayed.
Thank you!
This is so important. Critical thinking is a vital skill
This is also very important for teachers to discuss and share with their students. It's also another reason we need to ensure that the CBC is supported and will continue to do the awesome job it's doing. I imagine though that the government website would not be trusted by the right wing neo liberals. How can we infiltrate their "news" sources? Bring back the house hippos!
I wouldn't trust Snopes, (gave up on them when they said Mr. Ed was acted by a zebra).
Years ago the Marine Museum in Vancouver had a piracy exhibit which was all built around the Snopes assertion that "Sing a Song of Sixpence" was Blackbeard's pirate recruiting song. Later Snopes admitted making it up to test how gullible people are.