CRITICAL THINKING + COMPASSION
Happy Whatif? Wednesday, Friends!
In this episode, we chat about one of the fuels to our creative fire, critical thinking. In particular, Glen and I take a curious look at disinformation. Who better to chat with than a college professor and the author of Fake News, Witch Hunts, and Conspiracy Theories? We are thrilled to introduce Pauline Hoffman PhD.
Pauline shares the meaning of disinformation, how to identify it, how to prevent it, and how to empathize with those who believe it. We also explore how the atmosphere of information sharing has shifted with the growth of social media, which is “incredible and incredibly terrifying.”
No one is stupid.
In order to prevent the spread of disinformation, we need to approach news with curiosity instead of judgment. Also, when we identify untrue information, we have to have compassion for the people who believe it. Why? "No one is stupid.” As humans, we experience all kinds of biases that make us vulnerable to believing disinformation, from survival instincts to cultural biases. After all, we are all human.
Pauline, thank you for your insights and thank you for inviting EVERYONE to this conversation.
Order her book HERE.
Check it out on Spotify!
Recommended Resources:
Find a Moment that sparks your curiositea:
0:35 Meet Dr. Pauline Hoffman, Author of Fake News, Witch Hunts, and Conspiracy Theories
3:20 Google AI’s Definition of Critical Thinking
9:31 The “Wild West” of Disinformation
12:20 Responsible Information Sharing
14:25 Libel
16:47 How to ID Disinformation
21:01 Reposting is the New “Telephone”
21:23 Authors of Disinformation are Unfortunately Tactful Marketers
21:53 The Pandemic of Disinformation
23:58 Reasons People Believe Disinformation
28:02 Cultural Competency
32:43 Red Flags
37:54 Conspiracy Theories
40:02 Patience and Sorting
42:27 Real Housewives’ Effect
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