Any good videos for "converting" credulous people to higher critical thinking skills?
- From: STcomp@xxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:59:35 -0700
I know it seems like a stupid question. :) But seriously, what would
be considered the top videos to play for someone who has been raised
in a non critical thinking environment, in order to enlighten them, to
any degree? (and in a non condescending way?) Many people in the world
are in the situation of being raised to believe strange and impossible
(well, incredibly highly improbable lol) things. Psuedo sciences and
religions have all kinds of persuasive and emotionally manipulative
ways to "fill in the blanks" and brainwash people. Unfortunately, it
seems that there is not a version of converting people to honest,
rational thinking. Carl Sagan seems to have come close with Cosmos,
but that kind of programming on TV being popular seems to be long
gone. I think the art of waking people up to their own thinking skills
needs to keep progressing. Is there perhaps a catch 22 in not wanting
to use manipulative measures to teach people not to be manipulated by
untruths? If they didn't trust science to begin with they would almost
need to start with faith to begin, which would sort of defeat the
whole purpose. Nevertheless, some videos must be able to be considered
more influential than others in sending the message of why magical
thinking and credulity is so negative. Critical thinkers seem to
always be stuck in the situation of "messing around" with peoples
precious "belief systems" every time they simple try to state rational
truths about the universe. I would like to figure out what kinds of
conversations, books, or movies, would wake someone up to the built in
ability to critical think for themselves, after decades of culture and
media have corrupted this natural ability. (especially ones that would
still allow for the spiritual part of religion, or even belief in
god...but in a way ounobtrusive to science and rational
thinking...which I think is possible even though I am an atheist)
Religion has sort of brainwashed many people into thinking that it is
the only gateway to ethical behavior, in much the same way as AOL
brainwashed people into thinking that it was the only gateway to the
internet! So to many, dumping old habits equals becoming a bad person,
hence the hesitation.
OK I am rambling here. (a little A.D.D. yes you perceived it
correctly) Bottom line, some people I love very much seem to me to
have some irrational beliefs about ghosts, predicting future events,
past lives etc. Are there any movies or videos that are sensitive to
the fact that it is human to fall in to these modes, and enlighten
rather than belittle to make important points about rational thinking?
Especially anything that shows a down side to going with only a strong
feeling to paint your reality. I am thinking of movies like 12 Angry
Men or Inherit the Wind. I am a little afraid of Dawkins because of
his slight curmudgeon-i-ness, although I think he is brilliant for
preaching to the choir. Especially, what is a good movie, video, or
cartoon that can send a message of critical thinking to a child who is
very bright and creative, but unfortunately already partially confused
by familial influence on believing in ghosts, telekenesis etc, and
having a ittle sensitivity and self-esteem issues involving being
wrong about anything? How to you pimp out and sell the idea of how
cool it is to be wrong anyway??? :) LOL (and what is a good video or
book, but especially video for an adult?) I lean toward video since
all involved parties are a little A.D.D. including myself! We all are
fairly hip in our taste in art so weird is fine if need be. Thanks for
any advice anyone might have! I think it might help a family get a
little closer or at least understand each other better.
PS if religion would just place all of its legends, myths and stories
*before* the big bang, wouldn't that end the whole science/religion
tension once and for all? Let there be light even fits in nicely with
that possible scheme, but I guess religion would rather keep having to
apologize for being 500 years late to realize scientific truths, and
prejudicing against people...*sigh*
.
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